Geometrical and figural models in linear algebra

According to many university teachers, “geometrical intuition ” can help students in their learning and understanding of linear algebra. Fischbein’s theory about intuition and intuitive models provided us with a framework that confers a precise meaning to “geometrical intu-ition”, and permits to examine its possible effects on students practices in linear algebra. We study especially geometrical models, stemming from a geometry, and figural models, whose elements are drawings. We describe here some aspects of the use of these models by teachers and students in linear algebra.