Visual metaphors in learning management systems: How professors understand and use this feature

This paper aims to discuss the use of visual metaphors in teaching and learning environments based on the understanding of professors. Using as groundwork a previous study of such elements, according to the categorization proposed by Lakoff (1980) and also to some usability tests taken by 10 teachers, but not all of them with knowledge of the platform. From this starting point, it was possible to detect an inability to understand such elements and their use in the interface and how often they could cause some serious comprehension problems.