Analogy and Metaphor in Teaching Mathematics

Abstract

This study aims to examine the analogies and metaphors used by primary school mathematics teachers in their lessons. The observation technique was used in the study, and the analogies and metaphors used by three mathematics teachers were observed by observing a total of 60 lesson hours. Dialogues are included in the study to make the purposes of the analogies and metaphors used more clear. The study is limited to the topics of integers, polygons, equations, and inequalities that teachers teach in their courses. Explaining the topics with the analogy and metaphor techniques used in the topics determined in this study has been very effective in concretizing the abstract mathematical concepts. Students had the opportunity to learn abstract concepts in easy and effective ways through analogies. It is recommended that analogies and metaphors be used in other subjects in mathematics teaching as well.