Metaphor of Teaching: A Study of Teachers’ Understanding and Perception of Their Profession
Location
Teacher Readiness (Session 4 Breakouts)
Proposal Track
Research Project
Session Format
Presentation
Abstract
What is teaching? Is it like a gardener, a music conductor, or someone else? This session examines 30 teachers’ understanding and perception of teaching with their Metaphor of Teaching. These teachers were enrolled in an advanced graduate course – Advanced Study of Teaching and Learning in a teacher education program at a public university in Metro Atlanta area. They were required to read on the topic of teaching and learning and write an essay on teaching by using a metaphor that best expresses their understanding and perception. The purpose of this assignment was to help each teacher make a point on the topic of teaching that may help him/her go further in the understanding of teaching.
A qualitative content analysis was conducted to examine teachers’ understanding and perception of teaching. The analysis revealed a diverse array of teachers’ perception for teacher educators not only to better understand these teachers but also to be informed while revisiting the program design and revise places where changes are needed in teacher development.
Keywords
metaphor, teaching, teacher perception
Professional Bio
Binyao Zheng is Professor of Educational Psychology and Research at Kennesaw State University. He is currently teaching graduate courses in teaching and learning, research methods with the EDS/EDD programs. His research interests include teaching and learning, teacher development, educational reform, and cross-cultural studies.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Zheng, Binyao, "Metaphor of Teaching: A Study of Teachers’ Understanding and Perception of Their Profession" (2020). Georgia Educational Research Association Conference. 51.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/gera/2020/2020/51
Metaphor of Teaching: A Study of Teachers’ Understanding and Perception of Their Profession
Teacher Readiness (Session 4 Breakouts)
What is teaching? Is it like a gardener, a music conductor, or someone else? This session examines 30 teachers’ understanding and perception of teaching with their Metaphor of Teaching. These teachers were enrolled in an advanced graduate course – Advanced Study of Teaching and Learning in a teacher education program at a public university in Metro Atlanta area. They were required to read on the topic of teaching and learning and write an essay on teaching by using a metaphor that best expresses their understanding and perception. The purpose of this assignment was to help each teacher make a point on the topic of teaching that may help him/her go further in the understanding of teaching.
A qualitative content analysis was conducted to examine teachers’ understanding and perception of teaching. The analysis revealed a diverse array of teachers’ perception for teacher educators not only to better understand these teachers but also to be informed while revisiting the program design and revise places where changes are needed in teacher development.
