Using visual metaphors to obtain student feedback on changes in teaching practice
Keywords:
visual metaphors, student feedback, tutor approachability, graphic design pedagogyAbstract
Questionnaires usually provide student feedback on the quality of teaching and learning at the end of the semester. Few studies have been conducted into considering more student-centred approaches to gaining feedback which may provide more vibrant and more useful feedback. This work is part of a more extensive study to assess how safer learning environments can be created in Indonesia which could enable graphic design students to be more creative and reflective. Tutor approachability had been identified as playing a vital role in this. This study looked at the usefulness of visual metaphors in gathering graphic design students’ feedback on their tutors. A visual metaphor uses one or more images that represent a direct association between two things. A feedback approach using visual metaphors was investigated as a means of identifying perceived changes in tutors behaviour and teaching methods to increase tutor approachability. Six tutors participated in an intervention through action learning sets (ALS) to improve their relationships with students by being more approachable. Eighty-nine students described their tutors’ character and behaviour by creating visual metaphors depicting the tutors’ character and behaviour before and after the intervention. The student’s visual feedback before and after the intervention was used to encourage tutors to recognise their strengths and weaknesses then reflect on the changes students saw in them. This study demonstrates that visual metaphors could be a useful approach to measure change over time and to provide a more exciting and insightful means of gaining student feedback.
Downloads
References
Hortoványi, J. ‘Visual Representation as Self-Expression in Pedagogical Practice: Possible Explanations of Adolescents’ Symbol Drawings’. In The Power of the Image: Emotion, Expression, Explanation [online] Peter Lang. ed. by Benedek, A. and Nyíri, K. Frankfurt: Peter Lang GmbH, 161–173. available from www.peterlang.com. 2014.
Ingebrethsen, B. ‘Drawing with Metaphors’. FORMakademisk 6 (3), 2013, p. 1–18.
Kleef, G.A. Van and Fischer, A.H. ‘Emotional Collectives: How Groups Shape Emotions and Emotions Shape Groups’. Cognition and Emotion 30 (1), 2016, p. 3–19
Kövecses, Z. Metaphor and Emotion: Language, Culture, and Body in Human Feeling. Cambridge University Press. 2000.
Lotto, B. Deviate: The Creative Power of Transforming Your Perception. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson. 2017.
Moon, J.A. Reflection in Learning & Professional Development. New York: Routledge Falmer. 1999.
Payne, G. and Payne, J. Key Concepts in Social Research. London: SAGE Publications
Proctor, T., Proctor, S., and Papasolomou, I. (2005) ‘Visualizing the Metaphor’. Journal of Marketing Communications 11 (1), 2011, p. 55–72
Prosser, J. and Loxley, A. ‘Introducing Visual Methods’. ESRC National Centre for Research Methods (October), 2008, p. 1–60.
Savin-Baden, M. and Major, C.H. Qualitative Research: The Essential Guide to Theory and Practice. Oxon: Routledge. 2013.
Vyas, D., van der Veer, G., and Nijholt, A. ‘Creative Practices in the Design Studio Culture: Collaboration and Communication’. Cognition, Technology and Work 15 (4), (2013) p. 415–443.