Metaphors

What is this Tool? 

At it's core, a metaphor is when a word or words are replaced by others and result in a different perspective. When using metaphors, our communication becomes the sequence of associations connected to the way people experience the world. A good metaphor incorporates an inherent element of culture and can create a visualization that links together pieces of a puzzle to create understanding. 

Relevance to Adult Learning 

Metaphors play a major role in the process of communication and how meaning is interpreted, which results in the concept of cognitive theory of metaphors-aimed to shed light on the linkages between metaphor and how people are able to translate it into their own thinking and reasoning. When it comes to learner motivation, "metaphors in adult education visualize phenomena and make meaning easier to understand. Metaphors move imagination and make adult education theory more accessible," (P.30).

How to Use in Corporate Training

Presentation & Storytelling: Using metaphors with strong stories can help learners gain broad understanding of a process then apply that framework to a specific learning topic to help sustain learning transfer. As metaphors are rooted in cultural understanding, a best practice is to know the audience you are training and use metaphors that are accessible in understanding. 

Visual Metaphors: Visual metaphors can enhance learning when leveraged in the building of content. The more you are able to tell a story or concept visually in addition to auditory, it increases the chances for retention in learners. Examples could be the use of an iceberg visual like the one above to demonstrate there is surface info seen by many, but underneath there are intricate policies/procedures/etc that are managed by others.

Resources & Examples

HOW TO DEVELOP IMPACTFUL METAPHORS

Sushi Train Metaphor by Dr. Russ Harris

Find the Metaphor: Lesson and Activity

Using metaphors to speak English more fluently