The Feynman Technique: Explain It Simply, With AI Feedback
By Kashish Mustafa, Co-founder, Mindmapi· Last reviewed 28 October 2026
Explain any topic on your mind map in your own words, as if to a 12-year-old, and AI shows what you explained well, what's missing and where to use simpler words.
The Feynman Technique is a simple way to find out whether you really understand something: try to explain it in plain words to someone who doesn't know it. Wherever you get stuck, or fall back on jargon, is a gap in your understanding. Fill the gap, then explain it again.
The hard part is knowing what you missed. In Mindmapi.ai, choose Explain it simply on any topic, write your explanation without looking at your notes, and AI compares it with that part of your map. You see what you got right, what's missing, anything that's not quite right, and simpler words to try. Then explain it again until it's simple and complete.
How it works
- 1
Pick a topic
Open any topic's menu on your map and choose Explain it simply.
- 2
Explain it in your own words
Without looking at your notes, explain the topic as if to a 12-year-old.
- 3
See what you missed, and try again
AI shows what you explained well, what's missing, what's not quite right and simpler words to use. Save your explanation and the feedback to the topic's note.
Why students use Mindmapi.ai
Find the gaps you can't see
Feedback is based on your own map and notes, so it points to exactly what you left out.
Plain words, real understanding
You're nudged towards simpler words, which is where real understanding shows.
Keep what you wrote
Save your explanation and the feedback into the topic's note, ready for your next revision session.
Free to start
Free accounts get 3 explanation checks; Pro gives unlimited.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Feynman Technique?
A way of learning named after the physicist Richard Feynman: explain a topic in simple words as if teaching someone new to it, notice where you get stuck, go back to the material to fill that gap, and explain it again.
How does the AI feedback work?
AI compares your explanation with that topic and the topics and notes under it on your map. It shows what you explained well, what's missing, anything that's not quite right, and simpler words you could use.
Do I need to make a mind map first?
Yes, the feedback is based on your map. You can make one in about a minute from your notes, a PDF, photos or a web page.
Is it free?
Free accounts get 3 explanation checks. Pro gives unlimited checks along with the rest of the AI tools.
Ready to try it?
Make your first 3 mind maps for free. There is nothing to download.
Try It Free
About the author
Kashish Mustafa, Co-founder, Mindmapi
Kashish was predicted 3s and 4s in her GCSEs. Studying on her own, she mind mapped everything, maths included, and came out with 7s and 8s. She went on to graduate with a 2:1 in Business Management and now works in marketing. She co-founded Mindmapi to give every student the study method that worked for her.
Kashish on LinkedIn
