Comparative Structural Models of Similarities and Differences between Vehicle and Target in Order to Teach Darwinian Evolution

Abstract

Our objective is to contribute to the teaching of Classical Darwinian Evolution by means of a study of analogies and metaphors. Throughout the history of knowledge about Evolution and in Science teaching, tree structures have been used an analogs to refer to Evolution, such as by Darwin in the Tree of Life passage contained in On The Origin of Species (1859). We analyze the analogies and metaphors found in the Darwinian text the Tree of Life and propose Comparative Structural Models of Similarities and Differences between the vehicle and target, considering the viability of their use in teaching Sciences. Our foundation is the Theory of Conceptual Metaphor by Lakoff and Johnson (1980) and the Methodology of Teaching with Analogies--MECA-by Nagem et al. (2001). The analogies and metaphors were classified and analyzed and the similarities and differences were highlighted. We found conceptual metaphors in the text. The analogies and metaphors in the Tree of Life are complex and appropriate for didactic use, but require an adequate methodological approach.

Hybrid Deterministic Views About Genes in Biology Textbooks: A Key Problem in Genetics Teaching

“…There is a substantial body of literature on analogies and metaphors in science teaching, which considers both the contributions of their systematical and methodological use to students' learning of new contents and construction of new meanings, and the problems arising from their non systematic and non methodological use, such as the promotion of misconceptions about the objects of study. For discussions of metaphors and analogies in science education, see, for example, Treagust et al (1992), Stavy and Tirosh (1993), Glynn (1995), Aubusson et al (2005), Coll et al (2005), Kipnis (2005), Jakobson and Wickman (2007), Diehl and Reese (2010), Marcelos and Nagem (2010). The difficulties related to the use of informational metaphors in the description of genes are discussed by Oyama (1985Oyama ( /2000, Nijhout (1990), Pigliucci and Boudry (2010), among others.…”

Use of the “Tree” Analogy in Evolution Teaching by Biology Teachers

“…The following points summarize the work of Marcelos and Nagem (2010) with a few modifications. To simplify comparisons between the two methodologies, the TWA term 'analog' is replaced by the term vehicle found in MECA.…”

“…According to Al-Zahrani they are central to the development of Darwin's theory. Marcelos and Nagem (2010) show relationships between the 'Tree of Life' and 'Conceptual Metaphors':…”

“…In systematically employing an analogical methodology, it is the teacher's responsibility to emphasize where the relationships established between the domains are similar and where they differ, encouraging the development of analogical reasoning by the pupil. Marcelos and Nagem (2010), based on MECA developed by Nagem et al (2001a), show comparisons between the 'Tree of Life' vehicle and the Evolution target for teaching this topic. They utilized Darwin's 'Tree of Life' concept rather than the diagram present in the Origin of Species.…”

Nothing in the History of Spanish Anís Makes Sense, Except in the Light of Evolution

“…They fulfil a cognitive and heuristic role that has greatly facilitated the development and enunciation of many scientific concepts. In teaching, their didactic properties make them powerful tools, as long as they are properly used (Marcelos and Nagem 2010).…”