Virtual Dissections: Review of froguts.com Dissection Software
Overview
Froguts.com is unique software for high school students. This software allows for the students to perform dissections on the computer instead of performing a dissection in the lab. Additionally, froguts.com makes dissections more cost effective for school systems. Available in a home edition for homeschools or as a traditional school license, froguts.com brings dissection to the student masses.
Froguts.com offers students the ability to virtually dissect a bullfrog, a cow eye, a starfish, a fetal pig, an owl pellet, as well as being able to explore a Mendelian Pea experiment and observe fruit flies. Every dissection is detailed. Students use a virtual scissors or scalpel. Each system is completely discussed and the correct order of dissect is ensured. There are quizzes after each section. The subject to be dissected is viewed in 3D and students have the ability to manipulate the subject prior to dissection.
Cost of Dissection Software vs Physical Dissections (5 out of 5)
Froguts.com is very affordable dissection software. A 1 year license is purchased. For the home user, the cost is just $30.00 per year and you can use it on up to 3 computers. For the traditional school, the cost is $300.00 per year. However, the school version can be used on every computer in the school. Additionally, students can use the school version at home to review or redo the dissection. This makes froguts.com dissection software very affordable. Compared to a traditional physical dissection in the lab, froguts.com is very affordable. $300.00 will not purchase enough frogs and dissection equipment for 1 class of 30 students. When you consider the cost of either a fetal pig or cow eye, the savings are very clear. Consider that the average high school has multiple biology classes, each having up to 30 students and froguts becomes extremely affordable. In addition, it saves frogs.
Flexibility in the Science Lab (5 out of 5)
This dissection software is extremely flexible. Students can perform the same dissection multiple times in order to get a better understanding of the subject matter. Froguts.com can be used in conjunction with traditional dissection or it can be used in place of it. Many people object to the dissection of animals, froguts.com removes that objection as no animals are harmed during a virtual dissection. Teachers can tailor their lesson plans to include froguts.com dissections. This software allows the biology teacher to demonstrate concepts and dissections that may not otherwise be available to students. Imagine the impact that dissecting a cow eye will have on a 9th grade biology class when it is time to study how the human eye works.
Lab Safety (5 out of 5)
Unlike physical dissections which pose safety issues involving scalpels and formaldehyde, a virtual dissection removes the potential safety hazards. Students who wear contact lenses cannot wear them around formaldehyde. Some school facilities (such as those in correction facilities or those in a school for behavioral risk) cannot allow the students to handle scalpels or scissors. Froguts.com removes all of the safety issues associated with traditional dissections.
Enhance your Science Curriculum (5 out of 5)
Froguts.com offers multiple dissections at the teachers’ fingertips. Advanced middle school students will find this software challenging. High school students will enjoy being able to dissect more than just a frog in their biology class. This is a wonderful way to engage gifted and unmotivated students who may otherwise be bored. There are other resources that can be combined with froguts. Species Spotlight: The North American Bullfrog is an article worth reading prior to dissecting frogs with your science class.
Conclusion
Overall, froguts.com offers a great value for the money. The dissections are clearly explained and students are able to follow every step of the way. Froguts insures every dissection is successful, thereby eliminating waste in the lab. Teachers can base lesson plans on the software. Every major biological function of each animal is discussed. The dissections can be repeated multiple times. There is an online demo available which takes you through a partial dissection of the common bullfrog. It is worth a look. Just go out to froguts.com to try the demo.
