A History of Inspiration through Metaphors of Learning: The Height of Teaching

In this book, Robert Nelson reminds us that one of the most important elements of teaching and learning is to inspire and to be inspired. Given that inspiration itself has evolved through metaphor, the inquiry distinguishes inspirational learning by its peculiarly metaphoric character.

We acknowledge that students respond to passion and enthusiasm, that they seek stimulation, purpose, motivation and inspiration. But because these triggers operate through mysterious language and arrive at their modern usage through metaphor, we have no means of penetrating their structure or gaining access to their powers. We mishandle educational practice through a focus on technical process and machinery rather than the imaginary animating vision that propagates inspired study through metaphor. This book corrects the imbalance and argues that metaphors are intrinsic to all our educational ambitions. It reveals the wide metaphorical backdrop of learning and teaching that works on an unconscious level and is only revealed through analysing the language that describes what matters most.

Inviting readers to explore learning in a non-traditional way, this book will be of interest to researchers and students in education seeking to understand better the nature of inspiration.

Robert Nelson writes on art, education and the history of ideas. Prior to joining Melbourne University as Honorary Principal Fellow, he was Head of Department of Theory of Art and Design, Associate Dean Research and Graduate Studies, Associate Dean Teaching and Learning and Associate Director, Student Learning Experience, at Monash University. Robert is also a poet and art critic for The Age and was a scene painter for the photographic artist Polixeni Papapetrou.