NLA Discussion: Metaphor

[Janet Stotts]

NLA Discussion: Metaphors & Analogies In Adult Literacy Education

Just another contribution to the growing collection of metaphors: The Adult
Education Program as Parent.  Do your teachers feel that the highest praise
they can get is "I couldn't have done it without you"?  Are you or they
"gratitude junkies" always looking for a way to give "warm fuzzies" so you can
get some back?  This is particularly strong in ESL classes where the homelike
atmosphere extends to cooking and eating. As a program leader, do you brag, as
I heard a presenter at AAACE say, "after I left, the program just fell apart"
or other more subtle remarks that it just wasn't the same without you. If
people tell you, you are indispensable (like a good mom or dad), do you feel
complimented?
I sometimes feel one of the reasons adult educators have a problem seeing
their students as adults who can deal with strict schedules, tests, and other
trials of adult life, is that if the students are adults, then they can't be
Mom or Dad any more.

Why do I have a feeling I am going to be sorry brought this up?  Janet Stotts
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Date: 4/5/97 1:58 PM
To: Stotts, Janet
From: nla at facteur.std.com

>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