Online+Dissections

Presenter: Becky Hardie - Harrisburg Time: 9:30 - 10:15 Room: 275 Contact: rhardie@hbgsd.k12.pa.us 717-805-6217

Cow's Eye Dissection http://www.exploratorium.edu/learning_studio/cow_eye/

Sheep's Brain http://www.exploratorium.edu/memory/braindissection/index.html

Virtual Cat Dissection http://bio.bd.psu.edu/cat/

Virtual Fetal Pig http://www.whitman.edu/biology/vpd/

Froguts! http://www.froguts.com/flash_content/index.html

Becky started by explaining that the first 4 websites above are free sites where froguts has both some free parts and some pay parts.

She showed us the first website, Cow's Eye Dissection which allows you to watch a demonstration of the dissection, learn about the parts of the eye with a diagram, and also do a virtual dissection.

The Sheep's Brain website is also through exploratorium.edu. Becky explained that these websites are ones in which the students do not get to do a whole lot, but instead do a lot of watching.

The Virtual Cat Dissection website shows a sequence of diagrams that illustrate the stages of the dissection.

One potential detriment to using these websites is that they are relatively bandwidth intensive, so it's tough to have all of your students using one or more of the sites at the same time. Becky suggested that Froguts is a good one to invest in because you can manipulate using the software if you purchase it. She explained that it is relatively inexpensive compared to other software and may be a good solution to the bandwidth problem that occurs with the free websites.

She showed us the froguts software and we found out that you can use it to virtually dissect more than just a frog. A cow's eye, owl pellet, and a few other things were included. She showed us the frog dissection part which leads you through it and allows students to use virtual tools and manipulate the frog. One of the benefits that are reaped by using a virtual dissection program is that the students must do it correctly rather than simply playing with an actual specimen and not really getting much out of it scientifically.

She said that if she uses the software to do the dissection and supplements it with quizzes and worksheets that it will take about a week of 40-45 minute periods.

The froguts subscription is an annual subscription for 300 dollars, which may balance out if you compare it with what you're spending now on actual specimens.

Also, due to the science PSSA, time for live dissections may be limited so this software may help students get exposed to dissection when time is at a premium.

Becky demonstrated more of the software after a short discussion and it was obvious that the program was filled with informatoin that the students would not find all in one place with a normal dissection. She did explain however that for students who plan to go into the field after high school that it is practically essential that they do dissection with an actual specimen. The experience is essential for college, but that's mostly for those that are most likely to go on to that course of study. The virtual dissection is best in terms of learning about the organism, but the actual specimen is important in terms of knowing how to actually use the tools and identify organs.

One of the presentation attendees described another website - cosi.org - which she described as useful for an anatomy course since you can use video conferencing equipment to watch an actual knee surgery or autopsy.

Becky finished by explaining that there are lots of online dissection websites if you search for them. She tried to pull a few of the ones she felt had the best diagrams and information for this presentation. If you are going to use other ones, just be careful that the link works and that it's not blocked at your school.

If you know of other good online dissection websites, please feel free to add them to this page! Great presentation, Becky! Thank you!