Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Knee Deep in Human Anatomy/Physiology

Regardless of the topic or conversation in my classroom, tradition always fuses with technology to get the job done.  My students are "knee deep" (pardon the pun) in studying the anatomy/physiology of the human body.

I remind my students that they must read, write notes, and study diagrams they color. Our brains rely on these traditional skills that need to used daily. One cannot replace the act of reading with anything else. Whether using a traditional textbook, e-text, or i-book for my course, students need to read the content. All that being said, I am covering the human body systems (we are currently focused on skeletal, muscular and integumentary systems) with an infused approach by exploring using the following items.

1. The Human Body Facts 1000 app is great for engaging students with random bits of knowledge about the human body. For example, did you know that if you put all of your blood vessels end to end, they would reach approximately 60,000 miles in length? This app could lend itself to some great dinner conversations, or problem solving activities.

2. In conjunction with using the Rover app, since iPads are not flash based, The Interactive Body by BBC Science is fantastic. This website gives students visual study guides, as well as interactive quizzes.

3. The 3D Human Anatomy Atlas website by Visible Body is a solid resource for giving students a rotatable view of almost every body structure known. This is pretty advanced, but offers visuals and quizzes and is much easier to use in study hall than a 6 foot model!

4. Using Quizlet is a great way to review organs with respective systems and functions.

5. Other apps that have proven helpful are Visual Anatomy Lite and Essential Skeleton which are both free.  I have really enjoyed Essential Skeleton for review.  It allows students to draw directly onto the diagrams to make their own practice quizzes. Anatomy 3D: Organs is worth the $3.99 cost. I look forward to using that app when the time comes for semester exam review. As a side note, be careful when looking through anatomy apps.  Many are designed for medical students and physicians.  The fact that they are extremely advanced could be frustrating for a high school biology student.

I am truly enjoing the freedom and flexibility that technology integration affords my students. Seeing them focused in groups or as individuals is fantastic.  I love the fact that I need to remind my classes that it is time to leave.  What a blessing it is that I teach a group of students who do not want to leave when the imaginary bell rings.
