Mental models and computer modelling

Abstract This paper is concerned with the place of mental models in the process of knowledge construction and in particular, the relationship between mental models and computer models in that process. It identifies what is meant by mental models and outlines why they might be seen to be central to the process of acquiring knowledge. In this context, the second part of the paper analyses and discusses children's use of a spreadsheet to build their own computer models. It is suggested that the process of building models on a computer may provide direct support to the cognitive processes of constructing mental models, although the relationship is not straight forward.