Metaphors & Analogies
Overview
Metaphors and analogies can support learners by helping to form connections and to notice patterns and similarities that promote learning, self-concept, and higher order thinking. By organizing information and drawing comparisons to more familiar domains, metaphors and analogies provide a framework for thinking about disciplinary information, more complex concepts such as health and social issues, as well as abstract concepts such as intelligence. Metaphors can transform the usual way of thinking or seeing things thereby supporting Cognitive Flexibility.
Use It In Your Learning Environment
Analogies support Numeracy by conveying math concepts in a form that learners can relate to, supporting their understanding and self-efficacy. Analogy instruction also promotes Foundational Reading Skills, supporting decoding of unfamiliar words by highlighting orthographic patterns, and supporting text comprehension through accommodating new information during reading.
Metaphors can be created with words or visuals which can be incorporated into product design. Because metaphors and analogies are often based on comparison to a familiar concept, it is essential to have a good understanding of the learner's Background Knowledge when using metaphors and analogies to teach new concepts, and fundamental to culturally responsive practices. In addition, English language learners and learners from other cultures may not be familiar with the common metaphors used in English so it is important to ensure an understanding before applying them in a learning context.
Success in using analogies and metaphors in the learning environment involves supporting learners to feel empowered to engage in the higher order thinking they need to draw these similarities, promoting Reasoning and Metacognition. As adult learners have unique stories, identities, cultural backgrounds, and personalities that should be valued in learning environments, it is supportive to give them space to share these aspects of their lives through metaphor creation.
Additional Resources
Additional examples, research, and professional development. These resources are possible representations of this strategy, not endorsements.
Factors Supported by this Strategy
More Instructional Approaches Strategies
When adults can connect and communicate with authentic audiences about their interests and values, learning becomes more personally meaningful and relevant.
When designing instruction for adults, expectations and goals should be clearly outlined to help learners focus on the material and make plans for success.
Competency-based learning is self-paced, focused on mastery, and centered around demonstrating learning outcomes and skills rather than where or how they were attained.
In an increasingly digital world, adults who struggle with using technology can benefit from direct instruction for an array of digital tools.
Teaching learners how to effectively search the internet is critical for helping them learn how to find accurate and relevant information and aids in developing information literacy.
Direct instruction in math strategies may support some adult learners once conceptual understanding is in place.
Research shows that, along with traditional reading comprehension strategies, learners use unique strategies to read the non-linear, hyperlinked structure of online texts.
Adult learners who are struggling with Foundational Reading Skills, including decoding and phonemic awareness, can benefit from explicitly learning phonics skills in an educational setting.
Seeing and using new words repeatedly and across contexts is critical for vocabulary acquisition.
Formative assessment is "assessment for learning" rather than "assessment of learning".
Opportunities for students to practice skills in context, with instructor support and also independently, helps to move concepts and ideas into Long-term Memory.
Intentionally incorporating voice and choice into adult learning experiences is critical for making learning meaningful and relevant.
Mindfulness is a practice to create internal balance and a sense of being present in the moment.
Instruction and training presented in multiple formats allows learners to activate different cognitive skills and Background Knowledge that are necessary to remember procedural and content information.
Using multiple methods of assessment can help educators gain a comprehensive understanding of learner progress across a wide range of skills and content.
When instructors ask questions or have learners create questions before introducing a text, they activate interest, increase Motivation, and help them assess what they already know about a given topic.
Process-based writing focuses on how learners brainstorm, outline, draft, and revise their writing and is most effective when paired with feedback, especially for English language learners.
When instructors are able to provide context, and connect math concepts to an adult learner's world, math can be seen as relevant and applicable to their daily lives and work- a core aspect of adult Numeracy.
Learning and studying information across multiple sessions that are spaced, or distributed in time, can promote learning and long-term retention of both basic and conceptually complex facts and concepts.
A strengths-based approach is one where educators intentionally identify, communicate, and harness learners' assets to empower them to flourish.
