NLA Discussion: Metaphors & Analogies In Adult Literacy Education

[David J Rosen]

Tom, Paul, and other NLA members,

I think it is important understand the right metaphors for adult education
and am glad that you have begun this discussion.  I see advantages and
disadvantages in all five metaphors, and think you are right that all
are frames of reference used by the field and the general public.  I would
like to suggest another one, the Economic Metaphor.

One variation of the economic metaphor is that adult literacy education is
an investment (sometimes referred to as a "human capital investment")
which we as a society make. We make the investment as taxpayers, and some
of us also make it as (under)paid and nonpaid workers. In addition, I like
the view that adult learners also make an investment, choosing to spend
their time in class and doing homework.  And, of course, in some cases 
adult learners pay for services.  With this metaphor, learners, teachers,
administrators, and funders all ask at various points, what is the
"Return on Investment" that is, given the money and/or time invested, what
was the gain -- to the learner and to the other "stakeholders."

To play this out, we might ask learners what they see as their investment,
and what "return" they hope for.  We might say to funders, yes, you
deserve a return on your investment, but for $250/student/year you can't
expect much.  Make a more substantial investment and you can get a real
return.  We might also ask funders what they think the return on their
investment is on K-12, and on higher education.  (For some reason, adult
education and adult job training are always asked about performance,
outcomes, and whether the investment made has paid off, but I don't recall
seeing a public school, or public college or university asked to be
accountable in this way, and the "investment" in those arenas ($5,000 -
$15,000/student/year) is significantly greater.  Why is this?)

David Rosen
<DJRosen at world.std.com>

On Fri, 4 Apr 1997, Paul Erickson wrote:

> >From the well
> 
> There seem to be several dominate metaphors and analogies that are
> underpinning work in adult literacy education, either explicitly or
> implicitly. We wonder what others think are metaphors and analogies that
> are influencing adult literacy education. Here are five that we have found.
> You don't have to complete and return the rating scale to us, but if you
> would like to, then feel free to do so.
> 
> Tom Sticht
> 
> 1. The Business Metaphor: Adult Literacy Education is a business. Analogy:
> The Merchant is to the Customer as the Adult Literacy Educator is to the
> Student. Question: Is this a good metaphor and analogy to guide our
> thinking about our work as adult literacy educators? What are its
> advantages and disadvantages? What aspects of this metaphor do you find in
> your program? Do you aim to be "customer-driven?" How would you rate this
> metaphor on this scale for your program? 1 (totally inappropriate), 2
> (somewhat inappropriate), 3 (neither appropriate nor inappropriate), 4
> (somewhat appropriate), 5 (very appropriate) 
> 
> 2. The Medical Metaphor: Adult Literacy Education is a clinic. It cures
> (remediates) maladies of education. Analogy: The Doctor is to the Patient
> as the Adult Literacy Educator is to the Student. Question: Is this a good
> metaphor and analogy to guide our thinking about our work as adult literacy
> educators? Is it useful for thinking about adults with learning
> disabilities? What are its advantages and disadvantages? What aspects of
> this metaphor do you find in your program? Do you "diagnose" adults to
> prescribe their educational "treatments?" How would you rate this metaphor
> on this scale for your program? 1 (totally inappropriate), 2 (somewhat
> inappropriate), 3 (neither appropriate nor inappropriate), 4 (somewhat
> appropriate), 5 (very appropriate)
> 
> 3. The Public Schools Metaphor. Adult Literacy Education is a public
> school. Its purpose is to educate adults to their potential and to teach
> them to be responsible and productive citizens (or at least get their GED).
> Analogy: The Public Schools are to Children as Adult Literacy Providers are
> to Adults. Question: Is this a good metaphor and analogy to guide our
> thinking about our work as adult literacy educators? What are its
> advantages and disadvantages? What aspects of this metaphor do you find in
> your program? Do you have different "grades" or "levels" for your adult
> students as they move toward their High School Diplomas (or GEDs)? How
> would you rate this metaphor on this scale for your program? 1 (totally
> inappropriate), 2 (somewhat inappropriate), 3 (neither appropriate nor
> inappropriate), 4 (somewhat appropriate), 5 (very appropriate) 
> 
> 4. The Revolutionary Metaphor. Adult Literacy Education is a liberator.
> Analogy: The Revolutionary Leader (Liberator) is to the Oppressed as the
> Adult Literacy Educator is to the Learners. Question: Is this a good
> metaphor and analogy to guide our thinking about our work as adult literacy
> educators? What are its advantages and disadvantages? What aspects of this
> metaphor do you find in your program? Do you use problem-posing teaching
> methods to facilitate adult learners' critical thinking to search for
> social justice? How would you rate this metaphor on this scale for your
> program? 1 (totally inappropriate), 2 (somewhat inappropriate), 3 (neither
> appropriate nor inappropriate), 4 (somewhat appropriate), 5 (very
> appropriate)
> 
> 5. The Psychotherapy Metaphor. Adult Literacy Education is an ego strength
> (self-esteem) developer. Analogy: The Psychotherapist is to the Depressed
> Client as the Adult Literacy Educator is to the Low Self Esteem Adult
> Learner. Question: Is this a good metaphor and analogy to guide our
> thinking about our work as adult literacy educators? What are its
> advantages and disadvantages? What aspects of this metaphor do you find in
> your program? Do you use non-directive, learner-centered, participatory
> teaching methods to help learners take those tenuous first steps toward
> becoming confident, self-directed, lifelong learners? How would you rate
> this metaphor on this scale for your program? 1 (totally inappropriate), 2
> (somewhat inappropriate), 3 (neither appropriate nor inappropriate), 4
> (somewhat appropriate), 5 (very appropriate) 
> 
> Paul R. Erickson
> CWELL Action Research Center
> 5348 University Ave
> San Diego, Ca.  92105-2204
> E-Mail perickso at mail.sdsu.edu
> Tel:  619 265 3452
> Fax:  619 487 5644
> 
> 
> 
>