The Metaphorical Perceptions of Teacher Candidates on the Concept of “Web 2.0 Technology

A metaphor is the expression of a concept or a phenomenon by a person by using analogy in the sense that s/he perceives. This study was conducted for the purpose of finding the mental images (i.e. the metaphors) which social studies teacher candidates have on Web 2.0 technology. The study group consisted of 77 social science teacher candidates. The raw data, which were obtained from each of the participants by completing the “Web2.0 technology is like ..., because ...” statement, were analyzed by employing both quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques. The participants of the study produced 72 valid metaphors for Web 2.0 Technology. These metaphors were then examined in terms of their common features and were collected under 43 metaphors and 10 conceptual categories. According to the results of the present study, the social science teacher candidates explained Web 2.0 technology as a toolbox that contains everything in it, reflective, has the characteristic of changing, entertaining, octopus, interesting, a robot which can perform every task, canvas and informative. As a result of the present study, the metaphors that were produced by the social studies teacher candidates might be used in the process of explaining Web 2.0 concept.