High School Students' Metaphorical Perceptions a bout the Concept of Soil

Abstract

In this study, high school students' perceptions about the concept of soil were tried to be determined through
metaphors. The phenomenological design was used in the research. Data from the study was collected from 451
students studying in four different t ypes of high schools in the central district of Kütahya. As part of the study, students
were distributed written data collection tools “Soil is like ... because...”, and students were asked to write their
metaphors and justific ations for the concept of soi l. The collected data was analyzed by content analysis technique. 133
different metaphors were produced by the students in r elation to the concept of soil. This result showed that students
perceived the soil as multifaceted. Among the metaphors produced, t he most preferred metaphors were mother (48),
human (47), life (40), heart (29), water (22) and homeland (16). It has been observed that students are influenced by
mythological, cultural and religious factors in their choice and justification of metaphors . Metaphors have been studied
under 10 different categories. Considering these categories, it was concluded that students' perceptions about the
concept of soil were positive and that they were aware of the importance of soil in living life. In addition, it was
understood that soil, which is a geographical concept, cannot be considered separately from its mythological, cultural
and religious contexts. As a result of research, the versatility of the soil appears in curriculum units for Geography and
Social Studies, in textbooks as a living being and the source of life; and the importance of soil as a resource will transfer
to the student from presentation of the content of the course. The geographical, mythological, cultural and religious
aspects of soil are to be included in activities that will allow us to detect soi l as a whole have been proposed.