Using metaphors while teaching science, is it good or bad?

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   sriparnaposted 11 years ago

   Using metaphors while teaching science, is it good or bad?
   
   I teach Science and I use a lot of metaphors while teaching, to explain difficult concepts. For example in "atoms share electrons in covalent bonding", I say how two friends can bond by sharing food or stationery etc. and many others. More I am becoming experienced as a teacher, I find myself using more and more metaphors, I hope I am not impacting their way of thinking and understanding in any negative way!

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   prairieprincessposted 11 years ago

   I think it's great to use metaphors in science. Science, especially chemistry and physics, is pretty abstract, and kids need something concrete that they can relate to, to understand the concepts.
   
   If you are worried about having a bad effect, be sure to point out that is "just a metaphor," and also explain how the metaphor doesn't work exactly, how it's not a "perfect metaphor."
   
   Great job teaching!

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      jojo29posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      it does...you just have to be very careful though on how to use metaphor.

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      sriparnaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      thanks, good advice!

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   MarleneBposted 11 years ago

   I think you are doing a wonderful job. Your way of teaching gives your students something to which they can feel and personally identify. The more personal it is, the more they grasp and understand. I wish my science teachers were as intuitive as you.

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      sriparnaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks, very encouraging!

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   StephanieBCrosbyposted 11 years ago

   Metaphors are a great way to explain a concept. If anything you are expanding their thinking abilities. Metaphors stimulate deeper, more meaningful learning and just education that can be regurgitated. They work on many levels because they help all types of learners: visual, audio/verbal, tactile, and kinesthetic.
   
   The power of metaphors is profound. For example, I am going to use metaphor as a means to convey a learning model I am developing for my dissertation. If you run across any naysayers, there is plenty of research and even books about the power and usefulness of using metaphors. If you want some researcher names, feel free to contact me!
   
   And most of science is based on metaphors. Think about how atoms were first described using the plum pudding model and analogy (but I guess you already know that).  So, keep at it with the metaphors and even encourage your students to come up with their own and share them with the class. You could even have a friendly contest for the best one created. Then you could even do a cross-class comparison.

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      sriparnaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you sooooo much, lovely ideas also, I will bring up this as a lesson so that children use their own imagination to think of metaphors in science. I will surely get back to you.

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      StephanieBCrosbyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      That sounds awesome.  I can't wait.

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   Learn Things Webposted 11 years ago

   We learn best by connecting things we don't know to things we do know. I think what you're doing is essential for students to really understand the concepts.

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      sriparnaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you, great help!

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   Blond Logicposted 11 years ago

   I think it is an excellent way to make them understand. As Prairie Princess said, "Science, especially chemistry and physics, is pretty abstract, and kids need something concrete that they can relate to, to understand the concepts. " That is it in a nutshell. If teachers made the sciences more understandable or even tangible to the uses in their current or future life, the students would  grasp the subjects so much more easily. It may even make more of them decide to carry on in that field.
   
   I am happy to say, I feel there is a new breed of teachers out there, including yourself, who are passionate about their subjects. Engaging the students, whether with metaphors they will understand or relevant life examples can only lead to more interest from your students and build desire to learn in them.

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      sriparnaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks really, I feel motivated!

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   The Invincibleposted 11 years ago

   It's an excellent idea to use metaphors. This means you are doing two things at a time; English and Science

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      sriparnaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, that is the idea too, to integrate two subjects!

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   connorjposted 11 years ago

   
   
   Dear Sripama,
   You are indeed assisting significantly with the way our brains learn. You see our brains hang on to thoughts by associating with what is already in the grey area. Therefore what you are doing is significant to learning. The metaphors can assist significantly with this association... Do not let anyone convince you otherwise.

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      sriparnaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks so much, very reassuring!

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   Kevin Peterposted 11 years ago

   Using metaphors to teach science is really very useful. It provides a realistic idea about the topic among students.

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