Metaphor as a frame for course redesign

Abstract

Metaphor is a powerful change agent when applied to course redesign. In this chapter, we examine the influence mental models have on our thinking and the potential consequences they have for our learners. By choosing a metaphor to frame our redesign process, we reveal our ideas about our content, our learners, and our instructional style and how they fit together. This all-important first step in the redesign process can be a game changer; leading us to create the kind of learning experience we seek for our students and for ourselves. Metaphor provides means to break away from default patterns of thinking, inspiring us to play and develop new approaches to teaching and learning – facilitating the redesign necessary to bring about learning in an online context. We examine real examples of courses redesigned using metaphor, and then we embark on an exploration of other metaphors and their likely influence on decisions related to course redesign. In the end, we revise the course redesign model to include metaphor.

Citation

(2014), "Metaphor as a frame for course redesign", Redesigning Courses for Online Delivery (Cutting-Edge Technologies in Higher Education, Vol. 8), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 13-26. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2044-9968(2013)0000008002