Project #3: Introduction to Frog Dissection

Here is my third project. I chose to make an assignment for my students to complete using a demo of a virtual frog dissection. Below is the completed assignment:

Introduction to Frog Dissection

1.      Go to the Froguts website (www.froguts.com) and click on the ‘demo’ link

2.      Pay attention to the information given to learn more about the common bullfrog

a.       Phylum: Chordata     Species: Amphibia

b.      Scientific Name for Common Bullfrog: Rana catesbiana

3.      Press the 3d button to get a better view of the dorsal (top) side of the frog

a.       Move the cursor around the screen to rotate the frog

b.      What is unique about the surface of the frog’s skin? It is an absorbent respiratory surface

c.       How much water does a frog need to drink? None, it receives its water through its skin

d.      What is one useful function of the mucus on a frog’s skin? Aids in absorption and makes them slippery to predators

e.       Another unique thing about frog’s skin are the chromatophores.  What makes them unique? Change color and regulate temperature

4.      When prompted, click on the frog’s eye.

a.       What is the name of the third eyelid found on frogs? Nictitating membrane

5.      Next, click on the external nares (similar to mammalian nostrils)

a.       The external nares lead from the outside air, directly to the roof of the mouth for smelling capability

6.      Click on the tympanum, the external ear drum of the frog

7.      Next, click on the cloaca, the opening for urine and feces.

8.      Flip the frog over to its ventral side

9.      Press the pin button on the right side of the screen.   Place a green pin on each red target to secure the arms and legs of the frog.

10.  After pinning, press on the abdomen and click on the scalpel button

a.       Follow the red, dashed lines to make three incisions in the abdomen

11.  Open the skin flaps and pin down, then pin back the muscle.

12.  Locate and click on the thorax.  Use the scissors to make two more incisions. Pull back the flaps and pin down.

13.  Click on the magnifying glass to zoom in on the inner contents.

14.  Locate and click on the heart, liver, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, lungs, bladder and kidneys.  (Pay special attention so that you can identify these organs on your frogs during our class dissection.)

Congratulations!  You’ve finished the virtual part of our lab.  Now you’re ready for the real thing in class next week. 

 

Reflection:
I think that using this technology would be really useful as an introduction to frog dissection. Giving this introduction would help students know what to look for instead of randomly cutting into the frogs. It would also help students who are worried about the dissection to get used to the idea of it.

Final Post

It's crazy to think that we're almost done with class! I wasn't really sure what to expect of this class at first, but I have really enjoyed it. It has been so useful to open my eyes to new technology. I think the biggest thing I've learned from this class is a willingness to try new technologies. It has given me more faith in myself and a curiosity to try new things and explore. I've really enjoyed reading everyone's blogs and being able to see that I'm not the only one who struggles sometimes.

As a teacher, I think that these technologies will help to enhance my teaching. Especially the new curiosity that I have and continue to explore new technology to add to my teaching.

Project #2 (Finally!!)

Here is the assignment that goes along with my video:

Group Video Assignment
Standard III Objective 1: Observe and describe cellular structures and functions

For this assignment, you will be assigned into groups of about 10 students. Each group needs to design a creative movie dealing with the topic of cellular structures and functions. In order to receive full credit, your group will need to meet the following requirements:
-Movie must be 1-3 minutes in length
-Must include vocab words: cell, nucleus, mitochondria, membrane, ribosome and
golgi apparatus.
-Showcase the functions of each vocab word in a way that students can relate to.
(Don’t just read definitions of each word, show what they mean)
-Every group member must be a part of making the movie, but not everyone needs to be shown in the movie itself. (Fill this requirement by adding a credit sequence at the end of the movie to show what each person contributed)
-Be creative! Have fun with it and make it an enjoyable movie.

Project #3

Target Audience: Biology Students
Technology: Digital Frog International
Learning Activities: I will either make a tutorial for this technology or make an assignment for them to use as a virtual dissection.

I know that many of the Biology teachers are choosing this technology, but I think that it is a very useful way to incorporate dissection for parents who are opposed or for lack of resources.

Youtube

Video Chat

For once, this is one piece of technology that I'm actually pretty good at. I spent the summer studying abroad in London, so I used video chat to talk to my family at least once a week. I'm the most familiar with Skype, but I have also used msn messenger video chat as well. After learning about different options in class, I would like to try out a few of them to see how they would compare.

For the assignment, I chatted with one of my best friends from home on skype. It was useful because we were able to see the expression and feel more like we were actually talking. We did have a few problems with echoing, etc, but I think that part of our problems were due to her slow internet connection.

In the classroom, video like this could be very valuable for having "guest speakers" who would not be able to come to the actual classroom. Also, you could use video like this to show students an environment, such as a lab, that you wouldn't be able to have access to.