Virtual Dissection: An ecofriendly way of learning Biology

 

Educators at all levels are increasingly choosing alternatives to animal dissection to meet their students’ needs in the classroom. Among these alternatives interactive computer simulation or Virtual Dissection is a best way. It save animals’ lives, cost less than animal dissection, suitable for all students, and is more effective than animal dissection.

          In nearly every comparative study ever published, students taught using non-animal methods such as interactive computer simulations tested as well as or better than their peers who were taught using animals for dissection and other animal-based exercises. Methods such as narrated software programs with physiology animations allow students to learn more efficiently without being distracted by the gore of cutting up dead animals and trying to differentiate the discolored body parts. Using alternatives, each body system can be studied and virtually “dissected” repeatedly until students are confident with the material, unlike actual dissection in which each system is ablated and displaced and the specimen is discarded at the end of the lesson. Studies show that students prefer these alternatives and find them to be a more enjoyable learning tool.

Virtual Dissection benefit educators by substantially lowering the cost and time associated with anatomy laboratories: Materials need only be purchased once and can be used indefinitely, and they omit the set-up and clean-up time associated with using animal specimens.

A number of science teachers associations and societies now approve the use of alternatives as complete replacements for animal dissection and encourage teachers who do offer dissection to be responsive to students’ objections to animal dissection and to be prepared to provide alternatives. Internationally, in 2011 the government of India issued guidelines banning dissection and experimentation on animals for teaching students and now requires the use of modern non-animal methods instead.

Many teachers and schools have replaced animal dissection altogether, in favor of modern alternatives. Comparative studies have found that modern non-animal science teaching methods, such as interactive computer software, teach students anatomy and complex biological processes as well as – and in most cases better than – the crude use of live or dead animals. Research shows that these methods are associated with increased learning efficiency, higher examination scores and improved student confidence and satisfaction. Humane methods also save time and money and create a more inclusive learning environment that does not risk alienating students because of their religious beliefs, their moral values or any other reasons that they might have for being unwilling to dissect animals.

V-Frog is the world’s first virtual reality-based frog dissection software designed for biology education. Using a simple mouse and basic personal computer, a student can pick up a scalpel, cut and open the skin of the frog, and explore anatomy, physiology, and evolution, just like he or she would with a physical frog. Now a number of software available for virtual dissection of different animals.