Virtual+Environments

=Virtual Environments in Science Education= The term **virtual** is a concept applied in many fields with somewhat differing connotations, and also denotations. Colloquially, 'virtual' has a similar meaning to 'quasi-' or 'pseudo-' - the notion of creating virtual environments allows the student to enter an interactive environment that is similar to the real life situation. (Source: Wikipedia) There are large variety of virtual environments: virtual microscopes, virtual field trips and virtual dissections are featured here.

PMI on Virtual Environments in Science Education Plus: Allows the student to experience a learning outcome that may not be easily obtainable through normal means within the classroom or laboratory. Minus: Virtuals are only similar in there overall experience Interesting: Virtuals can become an excellent introductory activity to the learning experience or a worthwhile extension activity

Links:

Virtual Microscopes
http://school.discovery.com/lessonplans/activities/electronmicroscope/ Electron Microscope http://www.livingchildren.com/swf/microscope.htm

Virtual Dissections
Frog Dissection – Free Demo - http://www.froguts.com/flash_content/index.html

Cow’s Eye Dissection - http://www.exploratorium.edu/learning_studio/cow_eye/index.html

Cat Dissection - http://bio.bd.psu.edu/cat/

Crayfish Dissection - http://biog-101-104.bio.cornell.edu/BioG101_104/tutorials/animals/crayfish.html

Virtual Pig Dissection - http://www.whitman.edu/biology/vpd/

Virtual Knee Surgery - http://www.edheads.org/activities/knee/index.htm

Owl Pellet Dissections - http://www.kidwings.com/owlpellets/index2.htm

Brains Sheep Brain Dissection - from the exploratorium - http://www.exploratorium.edu/memory/braindissection/index.html Great images and clear steps in understanding some of the brains structures - great resources for Year 5 to Year 10

PDF of a Sheep Brain Dissection - http://psych.hanover.edu/classes/neuropsychology/Syllabus/Labs/DISSECTION.pdf This resource has excellent step by step instructions but is suitable for Year 11/12 students and teritary students

Interactive Sheep Brain Activity - http://www.gwc.maricopa.edu/class/bio201/brain/brshpx.htm

Other excellent resources: http://www.hometrainingtools.com/articles/brain-dissection-project.html (using this resource with a Year 5 class) http://www.brainu.org/resources.htm (excellent resources for students and teachers and also contains worksheets, and videos)

**Virtual Field Trips**
Various types of farming and how it occurs Science and Society Strand Level 2.3: Explain applications of science and how it affects their community
 * 4-7**
 * http://www.mda.state.mi.us/kids/pictures/dairy/index.html**
 * http://www.ext.vt.edu/resources/4h/virtualfarm/main.html**

Earth and Beyond Strand Level 4.2 Changes on Earth occur on different scales of time and space
 * 7-10 and Science21**
 * http://www.field-guides.com/sci/hurricane/index.htm**

http://seds.lpl.arizona.edu/billa/tnp/ This website is an overview of the history, mythology, and current scientific knowledge of each planet and the major moons in our solar system. Earth and Beyond Strand Level 4.2 and 5.2 Collect and infer from data that the events that occur in the solar system can have effects at other times and in other places

This site is an interactive, virtual field trip to North Stradbroke Island Life and Living Strand Level 4.3: Interactions which take place in the living and non-living environment. Excellent as a practice activity prior to the actual field trip.
 * 7-10 and Biology or Science21**
 * http://www.internal.schools.net.au/edu/atom/awardtwo/index.html**

http://www.uen.org/utahlink/tours/tourFames.cgi?tour_id=13057 Wetland and Riparian Virtual Field Trip http://www.kscience.co.uk/as/module5/seashore_web_site/index.htm Virtual Rocky Shore Field Trip

Updated: 18th February, 2008 Nick Johnstone