A Key to Unlock Creativity in Teaching and Learning: Developing Teachers' Skill With Metaphor in Professional Development

• In Event: Novel Approaches to Teacher Learning

Abstract

This study proposes that teacher skill development in metaphor can be advantageous in their multidisciplinary instructional design and in their culturally responsive approach in the classroom. Classroom engagement with metaphor can benefit student sensemaking about the abstract and complex concepts and ideas they learn. We found that professional development focused on teacher creativity in arts integration supported their skill to generate creative and quality metaphor and that metaphor did serve as a vehicle for instructional design innovations. Familiarity and skill with metaphor provides teachers a new meaningful way to think about and actualize creative engagement into their classrooms. In this way, creative work with metaphor could be a powerful lever for teacher development.

Authors

• Ross C Anderson, University of Oregon

• Gabriella Schuhe, Inflexion

• Jen Katz-Buonincontro, Drexel University

• Tracy Bousselot, Inflexion

• Mari Livie

• Nate Beard