In learning design, there are several tools, techniques and methodologies that facilitate the mediation of data, information, and most importantly, knowledge.
Whether between perspectives, media, channels or people, this mediation can happen in different ways, and it is necessary to understand the audience, the objective and scope of the project.
We understand and interpret the world and our experiences through signs, which are mental representations of reality. In this process, we use various cognitive tools to make sense of this complex experience we call life.
One of these tools is the metaphor.
Metaphor reveals itself as a valuable mediator between the realm of ideas and the material world, between two or more minds, making communication and learning more effective. It proves particularly powerful when it comes to explaining abstract and intangible concepts, in a concrete and tangible way, making them more accessible and understandable.
Let's see an example?
The metaphor of the metaphor
“In the dark nights of the mind, when nothing seems to penetrate the thick walls of understanding, a crack appears that slowly expands until it becomes a window, allowing the light of knowledge to illuminate the half-furnished room of my learning. What is this window? It’s the metaphor.”
This is an example of a text full of metaphors, including even a metaphor of the metaphor itself (meta-metaphor?). But, after all, what exactly is a metaphor?
In a simplified way, it is a figure of speech that uses a word, phrase, idea or symbol to represent something that is not its literal meaning, establishing a relationship of similarity between the two elements.
It is important to highlight that the metaphor goes beyond simple comparison, it transforms one concept into another, without the need for comparative terms ("as", "seem" or "as much as").
For example:
Comparison: Metaphor is like a window to knowledge.
Metaphor: Metaphor is a window to knowledge.
The etymology of the word reveals that "metaphor" derives from the Greek word "methaphorà" (μεταφορά), where:
Metha = beyond, between, change or transposition.
Phorà = transfer, take and carry.
Therefore, metaphor means the transfer of something to another place, which can be meanings (or knowledge) between different people and perspectives. After all, when we use metaphors, we are transferring a complex meaning, making it more accessible and understandable.
And this is extremely valuable for learning!
The power of metaphor in learning
Metaphors have the power to stimulate new associations and understandings, illuminating an issue from a new perspective and encouraging people to reconsider their opinions or assumptions. When we want to transform widely held beliefs, choosing the right metaphor can make all the difference.
Now, how does this apply to learning, especially instructional design? Metaphors can be used as powerful tools to make difficult topics more accessible and engaging. They create an emotional connection with knowledge, making it more memorable and easier to assimilate.
When designing educational materials, we can use metaphors to explain abstract concepts, simplify complex processes, and stimulate student creativity. For example, when teaching quantum physics, we can transform subatomic particles into dancers in a cosmic ballet, making the subject more vivid and captivating.
Metaphors have extraordinary power in identification and meaningful learning. They are bridges (look, another metaphor of a metaphor) that connect the unknown to the familiar, allowing students to understand and assimilate complex concepts more effectively. By relating abstract ideas to personal experiences, metaphors make learning more accessible and engaging.
The power of metaphor in storytelling is undeniable. It provides a powerful means of creating emotional connections and engaging audiences in a narrative, transforming abstract ideas into concrete images that resonate with human experiences. When used well, metaphors can illustrate concepts and themes in a simple and memorable way, making storytelling a persuasive and impactful tool. Stories enriched by metaphors not only inform, but also inspire, captivate and allow the audience to identify with the message in a deep and personal way.
In gamification (ludification, game thinking), the metaphor allows for an immersive educational experience, being able to transport learners to fictional worlds or realistic simulations, where they can apply theoretical knowledge in a practical and meaningful way. This makes gamification a valuable tool for motivating students, encouraging problem solving, collaboration and active learning, all in a fun and engaging experience.
Considering this (and much more), it is easy to see that metaphor plays a multifaceted and powerful role in learning. It transcends the barriers of the abstract and the unknown, making the educational process more accessible, engaging and meaningful. Whether through meaningful learning, storytelling or gamification, metaphor is a versatile tool that allows you to connect complex concepts with students' personal experience. In doing so, it not only facilitates understanding, but also stimulates interest, curiosity, and knowledge retention.
Metaphor is a vital instrument that illuminates the path of learning, making it an enriching, inspiring and memorable journey for all who seek to acquire new knowledge.

Visual metaphors
Today, especially in the digital world, we constantly interact with graphical interfaces and interactive visual elements. Have you noticed how many of these elements are metaphorical?
Visual metaphor is a technique that uses visual elements, such as images, graphs or visual representations, to explain concepts, ideas or processes in a clearer and more understandable way. It simplifies complex information, reducing the cognitive load on learners and making abstract concepts more tangible.
Let's see some application examples?
Interface metaphor (UX)
Imagine the interface of a photo editing app as a virtual photography studio. Buttons and controls are represented as real tools, such as brushes, color palettes, and camera lenses. This helps users intuitively understand how to use the app, even without prior photo editing experience.
Simplify complex ideas and processes
By using visual metaphors, it is possible to simplify complex ideas and processes so that they become visually understandable. For example, when comparing a complex problem to the tip of an iceberg, you are using a metaphor that shows that most of the problem is hidden, like the submerged iceberg. This helps learners visualize the depth and complexity of the challenge.
Link new learning to personal experiences
Visual metaphors encourage learners to relate new knowledge to their personal experiences. For example, when explaining an abstract concept such as artificial intelligence, you might use the metaphor of a virtual assistant on a smartphone, visually highlighting how AI working can be similar to having a personal digital assistant that understands and responds to your needs. .
Memorability
When learners are exposed to visual metaphors, they are more likely to remember what they learned. This is because metaphors create vivid mental images that facilitate the association and retention of information. For example, if you compare learning to a journey, students can visualize the idea of progressing along a path, making the concept more memorable.
Metaphor in semiotics
In the context of semiotics, metaphor is seen as a figure of speech that plays an important role in the construction and communication of meaning.
Semiotics' view of metaphor can be described as follows:
Metaphor as a type of sign
In semiotics, metaphor is considered a type of sign, along with others such as icons and symbols. It is a sign that is based on a relationship of similarity or analogy between two elements, one of which is the vehicle (the word or image that expresses the metaphor) and the other the object (what is being described or represented).
Metaphor as a meaning-making mechanism
Semiotics emphasizes that metaphor not only communicates meanings, but also constructs them. It allows abstract or complex ideas to be represented in a more accessible way, creating a bridge between the known and the unknown. This is essential in creating shared meanings in language and culture.
Metaphor as a cultural and social element
Semiotics recognizes that metaphors are not only linguistic resources, but also cultural and social elements. They reflect the values, beliefs and ways of thinking of a society or community. Metaphors can be used to convey ideologies, shape perspectives, and influence communication.
Metaphor as an analytical tool
Semiotics is also used to analyze the metaphors present in language, media, advertising, art and other forms of cultural expression. Through semiotic analysis, researchers can uncover layers of meaning underlying metaphors, exploring how they are used to persuade, communicate, and represent concepts.

Other views
The study of metaphor in learning is a multidisciplinary area that involves several lines of research and fields of study. Some of the major fields and disciplines that explore metaphor in learning include:
Cognitive Linguistics: it investigates how metaphors are used in language to understand and express abstract concepts. It explores how metaphors structure our thinking and how they can be used to facilitate communication and learning.
Cognitive Psychology: it focuses on the study of mental processes, including how metaphors can be used to simplify complex concepts and facilitate understanding and retention of information.
Education and Pedagogy: In education, metaphor is often used as a teaching strategy to make learning more accessible and meaningful. Researchers and pedagogues explore how metaphors can be incorporated into curriculum and the design of educational materials.
Communication Studies: it investigates how metaphors are used in verbal and nonverbal communication to convey messages effectively. This includes analyzing metaphors in presentations, advertising, and visual communication.
Educational Technology: it incorporates visual and interactive metaphors into digital learning environments, such as educational games and simulators. This aims to improve the learning experience and understanding of complex concepts.
Cognitive Neuroscience: it explores how the brain processes metaphors and how they affect cognition and learning. Studies in this area may involve functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and other brain imaging techniques.
Literary Studies and Semiotics: it investigate the use of metaphors in literature, culture and visual communication. This includes the analysis of metaphors in literary texts, cinema, art and media in general.
These disciplines and areas of study collaborate to understand how metaphors are used as powerful tools in learning, communication, and the design of educational and interactive experiences. The study of metaphor in learning is a growing area that continues to evolve as new research and approaches are developed.
How to create metaphors
When it comes to incorporating metaphors into a course or learning experience, creativity is key as there are no strict rules to follow. However, it is important to remember some essential principles:
Metaphors should simplify complex concepts, not make them more confusing. So keep it as simple as possible. Analyze the content to extract its central idea and build the metaphor around that idea.
Your metaphors should be self-explanatory, avoiding the need for additional explanations. They must convey meaning clearly and immediately.
Don't overuse metaphors. Using them in moderation is essential to maintain clarity and avoid cognitive overload.
So how do you effectively create metaphors for learning? Here are some guidelines:
1. Find the central idea
Avoid bringing together several distinct ideas into a single metaphor. Remember that metaphors are tools for simplifying, not complicating. Break down the content until you get to the central idea and build the metaphor around that single idea.
2. Identify keywords
Analyze the idea you want to convey and identify the keywords that best represent it. These are the words that naturally come to mind when thinking about the idea you want to communicate.
3. Link keywords to images
With the list of keywords in hand, associate an image with each of them. Record the images that instantly appear in your mind, following the Free Association technique. You can also look to the internet and text generative AI (ChatGPT) for inspiration, but avoid overthinking at this point.
4. Select impactful images
Now, evaluate each keyword and its corresponding image. Choose those that cause the greatest emotional or sensory impact, or that create unconventional associations. However, remember that the comparison should not be so absurd that it confuses the audience.
5. Assess relevance
Before incorporating the metaphor into course material, evaluate its relevance and effectiveness in the specific context of the course. Make sure the metaphor contributes to understanding the content in a meaningful way.
Then…
You could feel it, right? Metaphor reveals itself to be an extraordinarily versatile and powerful tool, capable of transcending the barriers of language and cognition.
By establishing connections between the known and the unknown, between the abstract and the concrete, metaphors enrich our experiences of learning, communication and expression. They allow us to simplify the complex, make the obscure luminous, and stimulate creativity, while connecting individuals and cultures into a rich fabric of shared meaning.
From the classroom to storytelling, from visual communication to cultural meaning-making, metaphors shape and enrich our understanding of the world.
Therefore, understanding and mastering this powerful linguistic and cognitive tool is essential for education, effective communication, and deeper exploration of knowledge and culture.
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