Which term describes the preconceived thoughts students have about a topic?

The term that best describes the preconceived thoughts students have about a topic is schema. In educational psychology, schemas are cognitive structures that help individuals organize and interpret information based on their prior experiences and knowledge. When students encounter new information, they rely on their existing schemas to make sense of it, allowing them to connect new concepts to what they already know. This process is essential for understanding and retaining new material, as it provides a framework through which learners can integrate fresh knowledge.

Background knowledge refers to the specific knowledge that a learner possesses prior to a lesson, but the term schema encapsulates not just the facts but also the ways in which students organize and relate those facts in their minds. While assessment and attitude may be related to how students engage with content, they do not specifically address the cognitive framework that shapes their initial understanding of topics.