HOW TO TEACH ANALOGIES
Importance of Analogies in Science Education
Analogies help bridge the gap between abstract concepts and everyday experiences.
They make complex topics, such as protein biosynthesis, more relatable for students.
Teaching Protein Biosynthesis
Concept Overview: Protein biosynthesis is the process of translating DNA into proteins.
Challenge: Protein biosynthesis is an abstract, invisible phenomenon with which students have no prior experience.
Effective Use of Analogies
An analogy can simplify an abstract concept by relating it to a familiar process.
Example analogy: Building a House
DNA: The blueprint of the house.
Nucleus: The house itself.
Amino Acids: The building blocks used in construction.
Using analogies allows students to visualize the process and understand how protein biosynthesis works.
Student Engagement with Analogies
Students were given opportunities to reflect on the analogy through:
Sorting cards related to the analogy.
Participating in discussions on how the analogy applies and where it may break down.
Evaluation Method: Students were asked to explain protein biosynthesis in a fictive letter to a peer who missed the lecture.
Findings on Analogy Effectiveness
Despite implementing the analogy optimally, students did not use the house-building analogy in their letters.
Observation: Students created their own simple analogies based on common experiences:
Examples included, "DNA is read," "DNA is translated," "DNA is copied," and "an enzyme is wandering around."
Students used simpler analogies rather than the complex holistic analogy provided in class.
Key Lesson on Analogies
Experience Matters: Many students lacked practical experience with building a house but had experience with copying or transcription.
Recommendation: Instructors should:
Favor simpler and multiple analogies over complex holistic analogies.
This approach is more likely to resonate with students' existing experiences and understanding.