SHALL WE DANCE?

Metaphors and Teaching

Ron Marken, University of Saskatchewan

A Definition

METAPHOR

(from the Greek meta pherein – to carry across) "the figure of speech in which a name or descriptive term is transferred to some object different from, but analogous to, that to which it is properly applicable."

(Oxford English Dictionary)

Do you feel wiser now?

Probably not

“Is that going to be on the final?”

I hope not

Alternative Definition – with two metaphors –

from ground level

“From the bristly sow's ear of everyday thought and feeling, metaphor makes a silk purse of

language to carry across meanings to our fellow

human beings.”

Speaking of the ground . . .

A first-year Phys. Ed. Student:

"If you think ordinary guys like me even talk about metaphor when we're not in your class, well, you're outta your tree!"

A metaphordevoutly to be wished . . .

O that this too

too

solid flesh

would melt,

Thaw

and resolve itself

into a dew.

Metaphors delve more deeply than the literal or merely comparitive. . .

O, my Luve is LIKE a red, red rose.

• huge red head

• spindly, green, thorny body

• delicate, fragile

• fragrant

• complex, beautiful

• timelessly symbolic

. . . and truer. Are you what you drive?

• MACK

• PROWLER

• LAND ROVER

• BLAZER

• CAVALIER

• EXPLORER

• JAGUAR

• PROBE

• CIVIC

. . . much truer. . .

“She may be adopted, but Susan IS my

daughter, even though she did not come

from my body."

Banks: Awash in metaphors!

• Solvent • Cash Flow • Liquid Assets• Frozen Assets • Funds Dried Up • Bank Draughts • Reservoirs• Slush funds• Current Accounts• Floating Loans• Money in Circulation• Bank Branches

Computer metaphors (Apples, Gates, Windows) are all over the place

• Floppy• Menu• RAM• Mouse• Bit• Nibble• Clone• Spawn• Spreadsheet• Port• Boot 

We have:

• Teaching Loads

• Time-Releases

• Burnout.

We “cast imaginary pearls before real swine."

Are we “highly qualified professional educationists”?

We’re nothing but . . .

• Beasts of burden

• Prisoners of our profession

• Cult leaders

• Warriors in trenches

• Prison wardens• Seekers of popularity

DO YOU SEE A

THEME?

Seek something more positive

Meaningful

metaphors make

much more mileage!

– even if alliteration is

occasionally sickening

Teachers take PRIDE in their work . . . often

labouring under adverse conditions:

ARTISANS

Distillers

Carpenters

Window Washers

Kindlers

Mechanics

Psssst . . .!

Sex

Seducers

REGULATORSJudges Mediators

Advocates

SPORTS PEOPLECoaches Champions

Trainers Cheerleaders

Backpackers

GARDENERSPlanters

Nurturers

Fertilizers (!)

Weeders

Hunters of truffles

PARENTSSurrogates

Nurturers

Fosterers

REAGENTSCatalysts

MODELS

Super models?

Life models?

Working models?

Display models only?

Or are you just a miniature?

ARTISTSConductors Actors

Jazz Musicians Clowns

Choreographers

Sculptors

Entertainers

Teachers Can Promote ‘Self-Authorship’ (after Ignelzi 2000)

1. Visit and value the student’s own farm(“build on existing knowledge”)

2. Accompany the student on trips to other farms (“incrementally-structured supervised practice”)

3. Encourage students to travel together (“reality is developmentally co-constructed”)

4. Celebrate the new farms and reminisce about leaving the old one (“build strong bridges”).

You are what you say you are.

Your metaphors make your mind and shape your thoughts.

• Is your teaching a “load” or an “opportunity”?

• Are you “battling in the trenches” or are you a symphony conductor?