{"id":162,"date":"2019-04-01T22:37:28","date_gmt":"2019-04-01T22:37:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.easyauthoring.com\/blog\/?p=162"},"modified":"2021-11-15T09:19:16","modified_gmt":"2021-11-15T03:49:16","slug":"learning-design-tip-7-choose-a-metaphor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.easyauthoring.com\/blog\/learning-design-tip-7-choose-a-metaphor\/","title":{"rendered":"Learning Design Tip #7 \u2013 Choose a metaphor"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Metaphor, simile, analogy, antithesis, hyperbole. Whatever you call them (and they are different), the use of them can improve the effectiveness of your learning designs. They can be used in a range of ways from simply visualising<\/g> an idea to improve recall, to conceptualising<\/g> content in a visual structure to enhance encoding and retention, to using phrasing that evokes an emotional response that strengthens engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Metaphors draw parallels between two things (ideas, concepts, processes, systems, content) to further or enable deeper understanding or improve retention and recall. Just as the Eiffel Tower has four legs, you can think of metaphor as having four key pillars \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pillar 1: Metaphors need to be familiar.<\/strong> They are useful to help anchor new information to familiar contexts, but this only works if participants are familiar with the metaphor. Unfamiliar metaphors only create cognitive<\/g> load that can hinder, rather than help, learning. Keep in mind that metaphors are often culturally specific. Avoid pop culture references, and if in doubt, ask a variety of different people to check whether everyone is familiar with your chosen metaphor. We\u2019re fairly certain that you\u2019re familiar with the Eiffel Tower. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pillar 2: Metaphors can be realistic, or imaginary.<\/strong> Metaphors can be realistic and represent real life<\/g> objects or places \u2013 for example, common metaphors involve situating a learning experience within an office or workplace setting that\u2019s familiar to participants (as familiar as say \u2026 the Eiffel Tower in France). However, metaphors can also be imaginary and involve storytelling \u2013 for example, a quest theme or treasure map learning challenge. Remember the above rule though \u2013 it needs to be familiar. Imaginary metaphors are familiar because we all have shared cultural<\/g> experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pillar 3: Metaphors may be chosen to stimulate emotion.<\/strong> Layering a metaphor over learning content can also be an effective way to stimulate an emotional engagement with new information that helps with long-term memory storage. For example, our Eiffel Tower metaphor is designed to help you remember four foundations of metaphor in learning. We chose the Eiffel Tower because, for most people, this stimulates happy memories and associations, and so, theoretically at least, will help you to remember this article!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pillar 4: Metaphors should be fresh.<\/strong> Avoid tired, stale metaphors such as a \u2018virtual classroom\u2019 or \u2018virtual presenters\u2019. If your metaphor idea involves whiteboards, virtual projector screens and apples on the teachers\u2019 desk, it\u2019s time to have a rethink!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to create metaphors for learning<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Staring at a blank page or dry content and coming up with a cracker of a metaphor can be difficult. Here\u2019s a couple of tips to get you started (cracker, explosive, colourful, loud, attention getting<\/g>):<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You don\u2019t have to be a \u2018creative\u2019 to use metaphors.<\/strong> If words aren\u2019t your forte, use a thesaurus to explore other ways that language can be used. If you\u2019re struggling with images, search an image library (or even just a Google image search, although beware of overused concepts) to find ideas and inspiration. Add some extra search terms like \u2018mind-map\u2019 or \u2018infographic\u2019 or \u2018visualisation\u2019 to give focus to your results. (forte, the Italian musical term for strength)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brainstorm.<\/strong> Find a couple of colleagues and start with your idea or central concept. Give everyone 60 seconds to write down as many ideas as they can, then start talking. Don\u2019t judge (yet), just let things go where they will, that ridiculous idea may be the stepping stone to the idea that you\u2019re looking for. (stepping stone, where one thing follows another)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Metaphors are everywhere \u2013 they are woven into our speech, our writing, what we see and experience. And that can be the challenge \u2013 to create metaphors that stand out, without dominating or distracting, that enhance understanding of meaning, without obfuscating or confusing, that build and strengthen knowledge, without creating cognitive overload, that add<\/g> value, without being tired, or boring. (woven into, indicating the ideas are integrated,<\/g> and are stronger, more useful, perhaps even more beautiful than the individual strands)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interested in a deep dive?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n