Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the views of students at different education levels on the concept of distance education through metaphors. In this study, the phenomenological design was used in accordance with the nature of qualitative research. The participants of the study, for whom the ethical rules were taken into account, consisted of 63 gifted students in total studying at primary and secondary school levels. In the collection of data, each participant was asked to fill in the form containing an open-ended item for the concept of distance education. The data obtained from the students were later analysed using the content analysis technique. When the relevant metaphors were examined, a total of 63 different categories were revealed. Depending on these categories, it has been observed that the concept of distance education is represented through different metaphors. According to the findings, it was determined that primary and secondary school students simulated the concept of distance education to different metaphors such as speaking class, longing for friends and intelligence cube.

Key words: Metaphor, perception, phenomenology design, distance education, students.