At the Surveys and Insights Symposium, Richard Cotterill outlined the creative methods he has used to overcome problems associated with talking to students about their learning. Richard explained his use of process interviews to help research participants articulate their thoughts.
My doctoral research has involved evaluating the use of visual metaphors in lectures to international students as a means of unlocking the meaning of abstract concepts. I teach Management, a subject littered with tricky concepts such as rationality and teamwork. Most of my students are Chinese. I have explored how using visual metaphors in my teaching can help my students find meaning, in real time, helping them to engage with lecture content and develop a better understanding of the course material. I have been particularly focused on what types of images are useful, and in what ways they are best used.
