ALLEGORIES IN THE TEACHING AND LEARNING OF MATHEMATICS

This paper explores how the concept allegory from literature theory can be used in the teaching and learning of mathematics. A cognitive allegory theory is developed in analogy with the metaphor theory of Lakoff and Johnson (1980). The theory differs from the traditional view. For instance an allegory is also a cognitive mapping and not only a narrative. The paper draws upon data from a study of how teacher training students learn the concept of linear congruence equations. The students are given word problems which were translated to congruence equations and later used to solve other word problems.