An Analysis of Metaphors Used by High School Students to Describe Physics, Physics Lesson and Physics Teacher

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe high school students’ “physics”, physics lesson” and “physics teacher” conceptions by using metaphors. 313 students participated in the study from different high school types in Siirt, Turkey. A metaphorical perception form constructed by researcher was individually conducted, digitally recorded and analyzed. Codes and conceptual categories were created. The results demonstrate that students describe physics and physics lesson by using content, function, affective and cognitive characteristics and physics teacher by using cognitive, affective, personality and physical characteristics. Although constructivist approaches are applied in Turkish physics education program, the results show that most of the high school students still think that physics is a complex and difficult subject. The other result of the study shows that students think that physics is a developing subject area but physics lesson is not developing course. About physics teachers students believe that they are very knowledgeable and intelligent people. Some recommendations are made for researchers and program developers.