I have been thinking a bit (maybe a lot) about useful metaphors for teaching and learning.

One of the shifts that has been talked about recently is to “student-centred” and some I naturaly think about what drawbacks this might have.

Another term is “inquiry-based” and as I pondered these a metaphor came to mind on the experience of learning.

The metaphor is one of a tour-guide. Sure you can drive down to the <insert destination here> and explore it for yourself. You could spend a brief or considerable amount of time there. Examining things, finding out information about the history etc.

Sometime it is really valuable to have a guide present to point out things, some of which may be obvious to the well-educated, but sometimes there are the subtle and nuanced things that ones attention is directed at. Errors of presumption can also be pointed out and addressed. But you miss this if it is just yourself inquiring, or even if there are a bunch of you inquiring.

Just a thought along the way as to the role and value that a guide can have in a space that is shifting towards student focussed, directed and customised for.