The concept of "tools of the mind" comes from the work of Russian psychologist Lev Vygotsky. He believed that just as physical tools extend our physical abilities, mental tools extend our mental abilities, enabling us to solve problems and create solutions in the modern world. When applied to children, this means that to successfully function in school and beyond, children need to learn more than a set of facts and skills. They need to master a set of mental toolsâtools of the mind.
According to Vygotsky, human higher mental functions must be viewed as products of mediated activity.The role of mediator is played by psychological tools and means of interpersonal communication. The concept of a psychological tool first appeared in Vygotsky’s thought by loose analogy with the material tool,which serves as a mediator between the human hand and the object upon which the tool acts. Like material tools, psychological tools are artificial formations. Both are naturally social but while material tools are an immediate control over processes in nature, psychological tools master natural forms of individual behaviour and cognition. Although sensory-motor schemas connected with practical actions also may become psychological tools, the latter usually have a semiotic nature. Psychological tools are internally oriented, transforming the natural human abilities and skills into higher mental functions (Vygotsky noted such psychological tools as gestures, language and sign systems, mnemonic techniques, and decision-making systems - for example, casting dice ).
