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Metaphorical Thinking
A Microscope for Seeing Content Creatively
Lisa RubensteinBall State University
Indiana Association for the GiftedDecember 16, 2014
Analogies are comparisons of the similar features of two things. They are mental telescopes [or microscopes] through which you can spy ideas.
-Michael Michalko
James Geary
Why use metaphors?
Understand the concept (abstract?)Solve a problem with new perspectiveThink about topic from a different angle...inspiration.
Understanding the Concept
We are threatened by the strange.Helps to connect with something familiarHelps to make sense of unfamiliarPromotes cognitive dissonance and constructivist learning ideals
Understand the concept.
Solve a problem from a new perspective.
Cave Man Meet Fish(Davis, 2004)
Inspiration...
Option 1: Force it.
Goal: Improve a flashlight.Metaphor: Attend medical school.
Improving flashlight is like attending medical school
Need textbook/manuals
Attend class/talk to professors
Learn how to administer anesthesia
Insulate myself from social demands
Practice on cadavers
Package first aid kits with lights
Incorporate a radio transmitter
Include mace for protection
Insulate flashlights to protect batteries
Include a miniature tool kit
Option 2: Give options. Pick a problem.
Can’t sell copiersWant to increase library usageCan’t get the car to startCan’t motivate students Need to design a swimming pool
Time to Experiment
Now pick an analogy counterpart...
Television evangelistsDenny’sYour favorite sports team (hint: Steelers)Tape measurePearl Harbor
Brainstorm the characteristics of
your analogy.
Apply those characteristics to
your problem.
What are some potential solutions?
Make the familiar strange.
State your challenge.Choose a key word or phrase.Choose a parallel or distant field.List the images you you associate with your chosen field.Look for similarities and connections between the two.
Tips for ParallelsChose a field you know well.The more detailed the better. (Instead of restaurants, think Taco Bell.) Finding parallels...use wikipedia....
Or even... nature, accounting, birds, football, China, comics, dance, mafia, mining, reality
television, ballet, WWI, sailing , jungles, insects, bowling...
Imagine this in the classroom...
Questions to Scaffold
How is teaching like football?How is the water cycle like Taco Bell?How is Charlie (chocolate factory) like Manny (modern family)?How are sine graphs like lighthouses?
Scaffold creativity. Option 1
Give students the concept. (Discuss/lecture...)Create a list of potential analogies.Have them create the attributes and the connections.Describe the similarities and dissimilarities.
Scaffold creativity. Option 2
Design your own analogy.
Scaffold creativity. Option 3
Other Analogies
Fantasy Analogy: Fantastic, farfetched, craziest situation possible.Symbolic Analogy: OxymoronsPersonal Analogy: Empathy, become the challenge/concept.
A teaching analogy...
How is teaching like a movie?What makes a good movie good?What makes a bad movie bad?
WHY ARE SPOILERS SO FRUSTRATING?
Spoiler Alert
?
?
HOW WAS ____ DISCOVERED?
CAN WE REPLICATE IN THE CLASSROOM?
Concluding Thoughts
Analogies can be used to help students connect unfamiliar content to the familiar.Analogies can be used for inspiration and problem solving...even within the teaching profession.