Metaphors for Education
1st Edition
Published on 7. August 2025
Book
Hardback
256 pages
978-1-78945-188-7 (ISBN)
Description
Metaphors are more than just linguistic tools; they go far beyond this. By drawing on the known to illuminate the unknown, they shape understanding and profoundly influence learning dynamics, making them particularly relevant in education.
Metaphors for Education explores this theme in depth, offering a comprehensive and enlightening overview of the role and place of metaphors in the field of education. The book examines how metaphors shape pedagogical approaches and conceptions of teaching, and influence learning processes and conceptual development, as well as impact assessment, differentiation and the professional identity of teachers. It also shows how metaphors can provide powerful tools for reflection and transformation in educational practices.
Aimed at teachers, students, educational researchers and enthusiasts alike, this book offers fresh and stimulating perspectives on the contribution of metaphors to learning and teaching.
Metaphors for Education explores this theme in depth, offering a comprehensive and enlightening overview of the role and place of metaphors in the field of education. The book examines how metaphors shape pedagogical approaches and conceptions of teaching, and influence learning processes and conceptual development, as well as impact assessment, differentiation and the professional identity of teachers. It also shows how metaphors can provide powerful tools for reflection and transformation in educational practices.
Aimed at teachers, students, educational researchers and enthusiasts alike, this book offers fresh and stimulating perspectives on the contribution of metaphors to learning and teaching.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 16 mm
Weight
526 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78945-188-7 (9781789451887)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Person
Emmanuel Sander is a professor at the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences at the University of Geneva, Switzerland, in the field of School-based Intervention: Learning and Development, where he heads the IDEA (instruction, developpement, education, apprentissage) laboratory.
Content
Introduction xi
Emmanuel SANDER
Part 1. Comparative Perspectives on Metaphors in Education 1
Chapter 1. Successes and Setbacks of Metaphors in Education 3
Emmanuel SANDER, Joanna BLOCHOWIAK and Yves GERBER
1.1. Introduction 3
1.2. The metaphoricity of antimetaphorics 5
1.3. The interpretive approach, the need to trust metaphors 8
1.4. Cognitive approaches to metaphor 11
1.4.1. Traditional approaches to metaphor 12
1.4.2. Contemporary approaches 14
1.5. Metaphorical uses by the great figures in education 21
1.6. Conclusion 26
1.7. References 28
Chapter 2. Metaphor: The Anchor and Driver of Conceptual Development 33
Emmanuel SANDER, Laura LEON PEREZ, Yves GERBER and Catherine RIVIER
2.1. Introduction 33
2.2. Beyond the classical approach to concepts: concepts have a heart 37
2.2.1. The classical approach to concepts: concepts as boxes 37
2.2.2. Prototypes at the heart of concepts 39
2.2.3. Abstract concept prototypes 40
2.3. School-taught or not, concepts out of boxes 43
2.3.1. Metaphors: props, obstacles and springboards for learning 44
2.3.2. The metaphors of arithmetical notions 46
2.4. Conceptual development from a lifespan perspective 49
2.4.1. Concepts developing throughout life 49
2.4.2. At the origin of the Mother Earth metaphor, a rise in abstraction 51
2.4.3. Some living things more living than others 53
2.5. Supporting conceptual development 55
2.5.1. Semantic recoding 55
2.5.2. Metaphorical framing in support of semantic recoding 58
2.6. Conclusion 62
2.7. References 64
Chapter 3. Teaching Metaphors and Pedagogical Conceptions 75
Katarina GVOZDIC and Catherine RIVIER
3.1. Introduction 75
3.2. Metaphorical collusions rich in inferences 77
3.2.1. Metaphors of teaching 77
3.2.2. Different metaphors, different inferences 79
3.3. The conceptions underlying teaching metaphors 82
3.3.1. Metaphors of transmission and participation 82
3.3.2. An intuitive conception of teaching 84
3.4. Not so dichotomous pedagogical practices 86
3.4.1. Pedagogies inspired by explicit instruction 87
3.4.2. The so-called "active" pedagogies 88
3.5. Metaphor as a driving force of transformation in teaching 91
3.5.1. An evolution in conceptions 92
3.5.2. Adapting one's teaching 94
3.6. Conclusion 95
3.7. References 97
Part 2. The Transformative Potential of Metaphors in Educational Practices 103
Chapter 4. Metaphors of Assessment Practices: The Diversity and Evolution of Teachers' Evaluative Stances 105
Katarina GVOZDIC, Stephanie NAUD and Walther TESSARO
4.1. Introduction 105
4.2. Classroom assessment practices: from measurement to professional judgment 107
4.2.1. A problematic subjectivity 107
4.2.2. An assumed subjectivity 109
4.3. The teacher's assessment activity seen through metaphors 112
4.4. Investigating assessment stances in preservice teachers 115
4.4.1. Presentation of the study 116
4.4.2. Results 118
4.4.3. Perspectives 120
4.5. Conclusion 121
4.6. References 123
Chapter 5. Differentiation Through the Lens of Metaphors 131
Stephanie NAUD
5.1. Introduction 131
5.2. Differentiation: an extended conceptual framework 134
5.2.1. Differentiation and educational justice 134
5.2.2. Student diversity or heterogeneity 139
5.2.3. Conceptions of difference and of intelligence 142
5.3. Metaphors of differentiation practices 145
5.3.1. Applicationist approach versus regulatory approach 145
5.3.2. Scaffolding: a form of regulation with multiple metaphorical sources 148
5.4. Deviation and change of course 151
5.5. Conclusion 155
5.6. References 157
Chapter 6. Metaphors for Developing Teacher Professional Identity 169
Gery MARCOUX and Nilima CHANGKAKOTI
6.1. Introduction 169
6.2. Thinking about and developing the teacher's professional identity 172
6.2.1. An identity under construction 172
6.2.2. Identity tensions and strategies for preservation or transformation 173
6.2.3. Roles inseparable from identity 174
6.3. Methods designed to understand and support the development of teachers' professional identity 175
6.3.1. Metaphors about in-service teachers 176
6.3.2. Metaphors in teacher training 177
6.3.3. Evaluation of two proven methods to understand the complexity of the profession 184
6.4. Conclusion 187
6.5. References 189
Chapter 7. Metaphors and Reflective Practice in Teaching 195
Yves GERBER and Gery MARCOUX
7.1. Introduction 195
7.2. Addressing professional complexity through reflexivity 197
7.3. Metaphors: tools for reflexivity 199
7.3.1. Formats promoting reflection 199
7.3.2. Levels, or thresholds of reflexivity 200
7.3.3. Use of metaphors in sustaining reflective practice 201
7.3.4. Models conducive to the use of metaphors 203
7.4. Using metaphors in order to develop reflexivity 206
7.4.1. Analyzing metaphors 207
7.4.2. Generating metaphors 207
7.4.3. Proposing metaphors 210
7.4.4. Comparing two metaphors 211
7.4.5. Implementation and limits of metaphorical usages for the development of reflexivity 211
7.5. Conclusion 213
7.6. References 214
List of Authors 221
Index 223
Emmanuel SANDER
Part 1. Comparative Perspectives on Metaphors in Education 1
Chapter 1. Successes and Setbacks of Metaphors in Education 3
Emmanuel SANDER, Joanna BLOCHOWIAK and Yves GERBER
1.1. Introduction 3
1.2. The metaphoricity of antimetaphorics 5
1.3. The interpretive approach, the need to trust metaphors 8
1.4. Cognitive approaches to metaphor 11
1.4.1. Traditional approaches to metaphor 12
1.4.2. Contemporary approaches 14
1.5. Metaphorical uses by the great figures in education 21
1.6. Conclusion 26
1.7. References 28
Chapter 2. Metaphor: The Anchor and Driver of Conceptual Development 33
Emmanuel SANDER, Laura LEON PEREZ, Yves GERBER and Catherine RIVIER
2.1. Introduction 33
2.2. Beyond the classical approach to concepts: concepts have a heart 37
2.2.1. The classical approach to concepts: concepts as boxes 37
2.2.2. Prototypes at the heart of concepts 39
2.2.3. Abstract concept prototypes 40
2.3. School-taught or not, concepts out of boxes 43
2.3.1. Metaphors: props, obstacles and springboards for learning 44
2.3.2. The metaphors of arithmetical notions 46
2.4. Conceptual development from a lifespan perspective 49
2.4.1. Concepts developing throughout life 49
2.4.2. At the origin of the Mother Earth metaphor, a rise in abstraction 51
2.4.3. Some living things more living than others 53
2.5. Supporting conceptual development 55
2.5.1. Semantic recoding 55
2.5.2. Metaphorical framing in support of semantic recoding 58
2.6. Conclusion 62
2.7. References 64
Chapter 3. Teaching Metaphors and Pedagogical Conceptions 75
Katarina GVOZDIC and Catherine RIVIER
3.1. Introduction 75
3.2. Metaphorical collusions rich in inferences 77
3.2.1. Metaphors of teaching 77
3.2.2. Different metaphors, different inferences 79
3.3. The conceptions underlying teaching metaphors 82
3.3.1. Metaphors of transmission and participation 82
3.3.2. An intuitive conception of teaching 84
3.4. Not so dichotomous pedagogical practices 86
3.4.1. Pedagogies inspired by explicit instruction 87
3.4.2. The so-called "active" pedagogies 88
3.5. Metaphor as a driving force of transformation in teaching 91
3.5.1. An evolution in conceptions 92
3.5.2. Adapting one's teaching 94
3.6. Conclusion 95
3.7. References 97
Part 2. The Transformative Potential of Metaphors in Educational Practices 103
Chapter 4. Metaphors of Assessment Practices: The Diversity and Evolution of Teachers' Evaluative Stances 105
Katarina GVOZDIC, Stephanie NAUD and Walther TESSARO
4.1. Introduction 105
4.2. Classroom assessment practices: from measurement to professional judgment 107
4.2.1. A problematic subjectivity 107
4.2.2. An assumed subjectivity 109
4.3. The teacher's assessment activity seen through metaphors 112
4.4. Investigating assessment stances in preservice teachers 115
4.4.1. Presentation of the study 116
4.4.2. Results 118
4.4.3. Perspectives 120
4.5. Conclusion 121
4.6. References 123
Chapter 5. Differentiation Through the Lens of Metaphors 131
Stephanie NAUD
5.1. Introduction 131
5.2. Differentiation: an extended conceptual framework 134
5.2.1. Differentiation and educational justice 134
5.2.2. Student diversity or heterogeneity 139
5.2.3. Conceptions of difference and of intelligence 142
5.3. Metaphors of differentiation practices 145
5.3.1. Applicationist approach versus regulatory approach 145
5.3.2. Scaffolding: a form of regulation with multiple metaphorical sources 148
5.4. Deviation and change of course 151
5.5. Conclusion 155
5.6. References 157
Chapter 6. Metaphors for Developing Teacher Professional Identity 169
Gery MARCOUX and Nilima CHANGKAKOTI
6.1. Introduction 169
6.2. Thinking about and developing the teacher's professional identity 172
6.2.1. An identity under construction 172
6.2.2. Identity tensions and strategies for preservation or transformation 173
6.2.3. Roles inseparable from identity 174
6.3. Methods designed to understand and support the development of teachers' professional identity 175
6.3.1. Metaphors about in-service teachers 176
6.3.2. Metaphors in teacher training 177
6.3.3. Evaluation of two proven methods to understand the complexity of the profession 184
6.4. Conclusion 187
6.5. References 189
Chapter 7. Metaphors and Reflective Practice in Teaching 195
Yves GERBER and Gery MARCOUX
7.1. Introduction 195
7.2. Addressing professional complexity through reflexivity 197
7.3. Metaphors: tools for reflexivity 199
7.3.1. Formats promoting reflection 199
7.3.2. Levels, or thresholds of reflexivity 200
7.3.3. Use of metaphors in sustaining reflective practice 201
7.3.4. Models conducive to the use of metaphors 203
7.4. Using metaphors in order to develop reflexivity 206
7.4.1. Analyzing metaphors 207
7.4.2. Generating metaphors 207
7.4.3. Proposing metaphors 210
7.4.4. Comparing two metaphors 211
7.4.5. Implementation and limits of metaphorical usages for the development of reflexivity 211
7.5. Conclusion 213
7.6. References 214
List of Authors 221
Index 223