Subject: Feedback Loop and Metaphor

Posted by Richard Turnock on 2/19/2006

Message:

An educator, using specific examples based on a metaphor, leads students to improved retention of conceptual information and improved problem-solving transfer. This education research conclusion is documented in “Instructive Metaphor” by Richard E. Meyer; an article from book edited by Andrew Ortony, “Metaphor and Thought.” 2nd ed. New York: Cambridge UP, 1993.



Below is how one might use Meyer’s research (using his framework) to begin a discussion of a Ferris Wheel with students then scaffolding so that the student constructs meaning for “feedback loop” as the educator introduces more and more complex examples. Each row represents a more complex topic moving top to bottom and the transfer of meaning progressing from left to right. On the right are actions I’m suggesting an educator might use at each step in the process. Maybe something better than my isolated attempt might result with more time and collaboration into a more focused and comprehensive framework.



Metaphor Domain Target Domain

Ferris Wheel
Feedback Loop
Action

Circle
Continuous Loop
Trace the loop

Movement through time
Flow of material and information around loop
Identify the material flows, information flows, accumulations, etc

Getting on and off
Picking up and dropping off material or information. Accumulations increasing or decreasing.
Define the specific thing being picked up or dropped at each position

Structure
Structure of feedback loop using modeling symbols
Build the structure of one feedback loop

Multiple ferris wheels
Multiple feedback loops in a model structure
Repeat the above for each feedback loop in the model

Link ferris wheels together
Link loops into a system
Build model of endogenous feedback loops






Richard Turnock

Beaverton Oregon

Follow Ups:

Feedback Loop and Metaphor - John Gunkler 2/19/2006