Embodied Understanding in Computer Programming : A semiotic analysis of metaphors used in programming

Sammanfattning: Language can be seen as a bridge between the way we think and our actions. From a social semiotic, language becomes a resource with which collective knowledge can be distributed. The way we talk about an artefact is a reflection of our conceptual understanding thereof. Often, we use conceptual metaphors to communicate abstract concepts in abstract reasoning domains such as computer science. Conceptual metaphors are formed in relation to primary metaphors and are grounded in sensorimotor experience. Primary metaphors can be used to analyse how we embody our conceptual understanding of specific concepts. The aims of this study are threefold: Firstly, to explore how conceptual metaphors are used by students and teachers while engaging in conversations about computer programming; secondly, to analyse the emergent conceptual metaphors to identify how teachers and students understand abstract aspects about computer programming and thirdly, to identify the sensorimotor experiences that contribute to shaping the conceptual metaphors used by the students and the teachers. Two teachers and three students from two different upper-secondary schools engaged in informal conversations regarding aspects of computer programming. The conversations were audiorecorded, and excerpts were transcribed verbatim and translated into English. The excerpts were analysed by adopting a methodological framework based on Grady’s theory of primary metaphor. Results suggest that teachers and students have a multi-faceted conceptual understanding of computer science that involves concepts such as spatial relations, similarities between objects and computer code. Other emergent aspects concerned interpersonal relationships, in relation to customer service and social skills. The findings imply that expanding the number of available conceptual metaphors could lead to a more diverse set of didactic tools in computer science education, thus increasing overall conceptual understanding.