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The animal dissection requirement of biology classes has been getting under
the skin of students for generations, and there have always been some who asked
to be excused from the requirement. Now, a growing number of technological
alternatives are making it possible for students to swap that scalpel for a
computer mouse. There are laws in nearly a dozen states-including California,
Florida, New Jersey, and New York-protecting a student’s choice to learn about
animal anatomy sans scalpel. Some students choosing to opt out feel we should be
kinder to our web-footed friends. Others are just queasy at the thought of
rubbery frog bodies and the smell of formaldehyde.
"Dissection is icky. There’s a yuck factor," admits Brian Shmaefsky, a
board member with the National Association of Biology Teachers. "And a teacher
has to weigh the benefits with the cost of students being offended to the point
that it interferes with learning."
Virtual blades. So for cases in which a real dissection would be too slimy,
it’s time to try some toad tech. While the first computer-based alternatives to
dissection emerged in the 1980s, modern frog dissection software can be found at
different websites. These software programs use creative clicking, high-powered
zoom functions, and video clips to teach anatomy. Froguts software, for example,
lets students trace incision lines with a computer mouse and snip through skin
with a virtual blade. There are even sound effects like a "slish" for slicing
frog flesh, or a "shwoosh" for pinning down skin flaps. (Schools currently pay
about $300 for a one-year software license, though some organizations will lend
programs out free of charge.)
Earlier this year, a graduate student from Simon Fraser University in
Vancouver designed the first-ever haptic (the Greek word for "touch") frog
dissection program, which uses a penlike tool to create a sensation similar to
cutting into real flesh. The hand-held device connects to a computer, and
students move the device through the air while watching the results of their
actions on a computer screen.
With Digital Frog-a popular program that’s had approximately 1,500 frog
demo downloads since January and is currently in use in 2,000 schools-students
can add or subtract those amphibious organs with a mere mouse click. They can
then assess their learning with sporadic frog anatomy quizzes.
"Repetition is helpful. The fact that a student can review sections of a
program over and over again is important," says Martin Stephens, vice president
for animal research issues at the Humane Society of the United States. "In
dissections, the animal’s organs are all shriveled and discolored. You look for
things and can’t find them because body parts have changed drastically since the
animal was killed. But on a computer screen, layers can be digitally peeled
away." Other experts think the dissection technology has its limits. Gerry
Wheeler, executive director of the National Science Teachers Association, says
that artificial simulations don’t give as enriching an experience as the real
thing. Still others worry the programs are depriving kids of experiential
learning.
1. The word "swap" (Line 3, Paragraph ) most probably means_____.
[A] exchange
[B] throw away
[C] reject
[D] refuse
2. Some students ask to be excused from the requirement of biology classes
because of the following reason except that_____.
[A] dissection consists of disgusting procedures and unpleasant smells.
[B] they are entitled to reject dissection requirement given the legal
regulation
[C] they are offended when fulfilling the requirements of animal
dissection
[D] they insist that people should treat animals more as friends instead of
simply objects
3.Brian Shmaefsky’s statement implies that_____.
[A] he indeed supports the students’ animal protection movement
[B] he thinks the animal dissection should be banned
[C] he thinks the animal dissection may not be good for students to learn
biology effectively
[D] he always evaluate the teaching effect by weighing reluctant factors of
cost and effect
4.Compared with the real dissection, the dissection on computer has the
following advantages except_____.
[A] It has authentic sound effect like a "slish" or "shwoosh" .
[B] there is a sensation of always dealing with fresh and recognizable
organs.
[C] The process can be repeated so that students can gather better insight
of the animal structure.
[D] Students can take quizzes with the software to evaluate the learning
effect
5.The author’s attitude towards the toad tech can be said to be_____.
[A] supportive
[B] doubtful
[C] objective
[D] biased |
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发表于 2017-8-6 14:08:26