> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://hyfbe.gitbook.io/teacher-curriculum/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://hyfbe.gitbook.io/teacher-curriculum/topics/mental-models.md). # Mental models Mental models is a persons model for understanding the world. Fx how long does it take the earth to pass around the sun? Now you are accessing your mental model of how the earth is in a path around the sun and thinking about how long time that might take. Students try to make mental models when learning and sometimes have the wrong mental models. As teachers its important to understand the students mental models and correct them if they are wrong. The mental models are made up of schema. Which is smaller templates of how the worlds looks and works. Fx a schema for dog includes how it looks, behaves, sounds etc. ## Preparation * [Another video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbAfM7AFO3k) about what mental models are and how students use them: * [A video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVtCO84MDj8) about how mental models affecting learning * [Example](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8BWOzc2LHU) of creating a mental model to help students learn * Check out some of the mental models in [this article](https://fs.blog/mental-models/) to get a sense of what a mental model is ## Exercises * [Mental models](/teacher-curriculum/exercises/mental-models.md#exercises) ## Learning Paths * [Groundwork for student learning](/teacher-curriculum/learning-paths/groundwork-for-student-learning.md) --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://hyfbe.gitbook.io/teacher-curriculum/topics/mental-models.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.