Metaphors for Learning Mathematics: An Interpretation Based on Learners’ Responses to an Exploratory Questionnaire on Mathematics and Learning

This paper is linked to some work that I have done in my PhD research, which is in progress. It shows metaphors that learners have about mathematics. These metaphors were investigated through a questionnaire with seven open-ended questionnaires. An inductive analysis of the learners’ metaphors for mathematics indicated that learners had well developed and complex metaphors about mathematics, mathematics learning, mathematics teaching and the mathematics teacher. Some mental images were formed: Firstly, the notion that mathematics learning is challenging and may involve anxiety; secondly, that perseverance is needed as continuing effort will bring reward; and lastly, that positive or negative mental images of mathematics are related to the perception of and the active versus passive role of the learner. Considering that the metaphors were collected from learners with an extensive engagement with mathematics learning, the endings would imply that these metaphors re？ects the students’ mental images formed as a result of experiencing mathematics learning through the use of metaphors.