ABSTRACT

Analogies are used to help visualise concepts such as electrical current, voltage and resist ance. Analogies are an important meaning-making tool in science because they enable learners to use familiar images and experiences to make sense of unfamiliar scientific concepts. However, it is important to remember that the analogies presented do not provide exact representations of electricity and therefore have limited explanatory power. When teaching electricity, we need to be aware of the limitations of the analogies and discuss them with the children.