For example, in class when kids are disecting frogs, why do each of them have to disect a single frog? Why can`t the teacher just disect one frog in front of the class on a projector or something. Don`t you think it would be easier, less smelly, gross & better for the animals?
2007-02-23 22:49:04 · 10 answers · asked by silvia 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
There's still high schools out there that are making each kid dissect a frog? I thought that was long done and over with!
Anyway, from some one who has dissected several cadavers, let me say that there is no substitution for your own wet dissection. You can watch someone else do it, look at models, etc until you're blue in the face, but you will always, always learn more from doing it yourself.
I'm not saying that everyone should have to dissect a frog (especially kids who don't have a desire to go into a science field), but there is a huge difference in the options you mentioned.
BTW, frog dissections are actually very cool. If they're euthanized just before the dissection, you can remove their heart from it's body and it will keep beating for quite some time. Very interesting and educational believe it or not! :)
And on a side note, to those that are questioning the ethics about an animal being bred and killed for this process, let me say that unless you're a vegan you have no room to talk. That is the exact definition of what we do to provide meat for the dinner table. This frog dissection may stimulate a student who will turn into a great scientist one day. They may even go on cure the cancer you or I develop one day. Science is very important, and there is rhyme and reason to this madness.
Good luck!
2007-02-23 22:57:38 · answer #1 · answered by Ali 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good for you for bringing this question up! Actually no one has to dissect the frog, it can be done with a computer simulation. Probably better as inexperienced kids aren't digging and poking around trying to find things and destroying other important anatomy in the process. Even a lot of surgery is done lap, and the doctors work with their tools by watching a monitor.
Some will say it isn't the same, and it true you don't get the "feel" of the tissue, but why do we need that. Maybe we've actually been stimulating the cruelty to animals in some kids who have that type of abnormality to begin with.
Hey -- you have a good day! Great question!
2007-02-23 22:57:33 · answer #2 · answered by Joy K 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure what kids learn from dissecting animals that they can't learn from seeing photos, drawings in a text book or a plastic model. The ethics are questionable to say the least since a living creature has either been bred or captured specifically to be killed for this process.
I might be missing some key point, but my recollection from school was that some kids are grossed out and the lads chase after the girls with bits of internal organ to make them scream. The educational value of the exercise was pretty minimal.
2007-02-23 22:54:49 · answer #3 · answered by davidbgreensmith 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some people are Kinesthetic learners, while other people are visual/spatial. A visual spatial learner may be able to learn by seeing the teacher do the dissection, but a kinesthetic learner will not understand unless they are able to do the actions themselves.
I happen to be a Kinesthetic learner. My first science teacher did the dissections for us, on a projector. very clean and unsmelly, but I didn't learn a thing. My second science teacher had us do the dissection ourselves, and that was more than 15 years ago. I still haven't forgotten what I learned from that frog.
It might be better for the animals, but not necessarily better for the students.
2007-02-23 23:01:00 · answer #4 · answered by Chali 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Much of science involves experimentation.
.
You learn how to design an experiment, carry it out, make observations, from which you can then use to reach a conclusion.
The "Scientific Method" is a way to problem solve, that laboratory class hopes to teach.
.
The proper way to slice a frog is of minimal value, compared to the principles of science and experimentation..
It depends upon what you intend to do with your science education.
Research, Clinical practice , and /or teaching it is best to be familiar with handling the equipment.
The lab experiment is not for everyone, and I agree with you, that you can still be involved in the design of an experiment, observe, and reach conclusions , with out the tactile reinforcement of performing the actual procedure.
Would you say that learning how it is done,
is of equal value to having to learn it and also do it?,
If, in addition, to being able to mentally problem solve, you also learned to perform the physical manipulations of the equipment, you would be that much ahead of the rest.
Why restrict your ability, to only doing thought problems?
Bloodthirsty???
and Who said anything about killing ?
except BOOMER
2007-02-23 23:33:43 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
So they gain an understanding of what life is going to feel like the first time they clock in for work -which they will then spend the next 45 years doing.
2007-02-24 02:23:59 · answer #6 · answered by Your Teeth or Mine? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its a "Hands On" thingy that the schools of America have adopted .Some weirdos actually like that kind of stuff ya'know the kids that wanna learn and get a better educationally adventure...
2007-02-23 22:52:37 · answer #7 · answered by kevin p 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I SKIPPED BIOLOGY CLASS THE DAY OF DISSECTING THE FROG. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO DISSECT ANY OF,IN HIGH SCHOOL.COLLEGE DEGREES,IN CERTAIN FIELDS OF STUDY IS A WHOLE DIFFERENT TRIP.
2007-02-23 22:59:09 · answer #8 · answered by kwhic 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
or just have one student do the work while two or three others watch - just like in real life...
2007-02-23 22:52:44 · answer #9 · answered by boardbiker 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
WE LIKE TO KILL ANIMALS WE ARE AMERICANS WE HAVE TO LEARN TO BE BLOODTHIRSTY FOR THE FUTURE
2007-02-24 06:52:38 · answer #10 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋