Subject: Metaphors

Posted by Richard Turnock on 1/27/2006

Message:

Language in the information age leaves learners without the ability to construct meaning when the introduction of new concepts assumes an understanding of information age words. For example, the following definition for feedback loop is not useful:
“the return of information about the status of a process.” For one thing, part of the concept of feedback loop is missing.


Feedback loop is when the returning information causes a change in the material input or it changes the process such that the output changes. Again that last sentence is an example of using information age language to define an information age word in a way that does not help learners construct meaning.


Metaphors and analogies are important language tools for teachers and learners. However, defining feedback loop, by using the analogy that it’s like a “conversation,” leaves the learner with an incomplete meaning. Metaphors are required to define information age words so that learners can construct meaning. Educators use metaphors when scaffolding to help learners understand new concepts. They use “scaffolding” as a verb instead of a noun.


Comparing a computer model to a bathtub is a useful analogy after the language of level or stock, rate or flow, and feedback loop are defined using metaphors. System dynamics literature seems to attempt scaffolding from analogies.


In my search for the best definition of “feedback loop” I have searched Pegasus, Road Maps, and graduate level SD courses, I have not found a definition that meets my criteria of using metaphors and not using information age concepts that are also not well defined.


Where is there an adequate definition of “feedback loop”?
By adequate I mean (1) the definition does not use other information age words, (2) it does rely on spatial or time metaphors and (3) it does not depend on an analogy that only applies to one type of feedback.


Richard Turnock

Follow Ups:

Metaphor for Feedback Loop - Richard Turnock 2/9/2006 
Definitions of feedback loops - George Richardson 2/2/2006 
Feedback Loops - Jay W. Forrester 2/7/2006
Feedback Loops - Juan Sanchez Garza 2/9/2006
Feedback Loops - Armando Córdova Olivieri 2/9/2006
Feedback Loops - Armando Córdova Olivieri 2/8/2006
Feedback Loops - Linda Booth Sweeney 2/8/2006
Feedback Loops - Prof. Dr. Niall Palfreyman 12/9/2006
Flows (was Feedback Loops) - John Gunkler 2/9/2006
Flows (was Feedback Loops) - Bill Braun 2/9/2006
Feedback Loops - Fernando Mazzuli 2/9/2006
Feedback Loops - Levin, Jeffrey S. 2/9/2006
Feedback Loops - David Lymburner 2/9/2006
Feedback Loops - John Sterman 2/9/2006
Feedback Loops - Bill Braun 2/9/2006
Feedback Loops - Elane V. Scott 2/8/2006
Feedback Loops - David Lymburner 2/9/2006
Feedback Loops - Ashis Sen 2/8/2006
Feedback Loops - Prof. Dr. Niall Palfreyman 2/8/2006
Feedback Loops - Bill Braun 2/9/2006
Feedback Loops - Florence Duarte 2/9/2006
Feedback Loops - John Gunkler 2/9/2006
Feedback Loops - Bill Ellis 2/9/2006
Feedback Loops - Ford, Andy 2/8/2006
Feedback Loops - Jay W. Forrester 2/9/2006
Feedback Loops - David Lymburner 2/7/2006
Feedback Loops - Phil Minnaar 2/7/2006
Feedback Loops - John Sterman 2/8/2006
Definitions of feedback loops - Prof. Dr. Niall Palfreyman 2/3/2006
Definitions of feedback loops - George Richardson 2/3/2006
Definitions of feedback loops - Bill Ellis 2/7/2006
Definitions of feedback loops - Prof. Dr. Niall Palfreyman 2/6/2006
abstract vs. concrete - Bill Ellis 2/3/2006
abstract vs. concrete - Bill Ellis 2/5/2006
abstract vs. concrete - Lees Stuntz 2/6/2006
abstract vs. concrete - Dela Robertson 12/9/2006
abstract vs. concrete - Richard Plate 2/9/2006
abstract vs. concrete - Scott Lipton 2/7/2006
abstract vs. concrete - Bob Siegfried 2/6/2006
abstract vs. concrete - John Gunkler 2/6/2006
abstract vs. concrete - Janis Dutton 2/6/2006
abstract vs. concrete - Bill Ellis 2/7/2006
abstract vs. concrete - Bill Rathborne 2/6/2006
abstract vs. concrete - Armando Córdova Olivieri 2/9/2006
abstract vs. concrete - Tish Harris 2/5/2006
Definitions of feedback loops - Tracy Benson 2/2/2006
Definitions of feedback loops - George Richardson 2/3/2006
Metaphors - Linda Booth Sweeney 2/1/2006 
Metaphors - From Ralph Brauer - Lees Stuntz 2/1/2006 
Metaphors - Prof. Dr. Niall Palfreyman 2/1/2006