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RE: [HAPS-L] Dissection Alternatives
I've seen several posts that seem to support being flexible to dissection alternatives.
100% of the students that I teach are going into healthcare (no non-majors in my classes), so I would like to make a counterpoint to that extent.
We do group dissections due to lack of funds, so if someone wants to only "watch" they can. However, if given the choice, I would require all of my students to actually do the dissection, and grade it. If the student chooses not to participate, they would also choose a zero grade, and deprive themselves of a great educational experience.
Reasoning 1: manual dexterity and intestinal fortitude are vitally important in healthcare. I think students should find out if they can handle equipment and see guts BEFORE they get too deeply into healthcare. If they find out early, they don't waste time studying for the wrong career.
Reasoning 2: if you let one student off the hook, you have to let them all off the hook, if they ask. The next thing you know, your school won't be doing dissections anymore. Word passes fast, and many students will do nearly anything to make college easier, if given the opportunity.
That may all sound mean but, if I am in the ER and I see one of my former students approaching, I want to feel confident that I will be well taken care of. I always keep in mind that my students are going to be caring for someone's family someday. Secondly, times are much different than when "we were in school" and many students have much less respect for authority and themselves than we did. It is time that we start preventing this loss of educational quality.
Can't call me old-fashioned, I'm only 30, with 6 years teaching experience. Maybe I'm just naïve. My guess however, is that some will agree with this.
That is my cynical side.
On the lighter side. If I taught non-majors, I would demonstrate the dissection and test with pictures.
Jason LaPres
Associate Professor of Biology
Human Anatomy and Physiology
North Harris College
2700 WW Thorne
Winship 210E
Houston Texas 77090
281-618-7132
-----Original Message-----
From: HAPS-L-owner@xxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:HAPS-L-owner@xxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Tom Lehman
Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2007 6:38 PM
To: HAPS-L@xxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: [HAPS-L] Dissection Alternatives
Amy,
A few times, I've had students who haven't wished to participate in the
dissections. Most often, they're content to simply observe from a
distance or busy themselves with other parts of the exercise. However,
I inform them that they'll need to observe the dissected specimens in
the lab practicals. I haven't had a problem yet.
I'm now teaching at a college with a considerable Native American
population. There are apparently some cultural concerns about certain
animals being used for dissection, so I'm trying to learn about this
just as you are in preparation for when faced with this dilemma. Nina
has some good ideas in her email. I'll be curious to read what others
think.
Tom Lehman
-----Original Message-----
From: HAPS-L-owner@xxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:HAPS-L-owner@xxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of Amy Troyer
Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2007 12:01 PM
To: HAPS-L@xxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [HAPS-L] Dissection Alternatives
I'm curious as to how you handle student who are "philosophically"
against
animal dissection in you A&P class.
We do not have cadaver lab, but do various dissections (rat, sheep
brain,
fetal pig, pig heart etc.). In the 5 years I've been teaching I haven't
had
a student refuse to at least observe during the dissections. However, I
have an incoming student for next fall who has made it clear that she
would
be unwilling to dissect animals.
Do you make exceptions? If so how do you determine who is allowed to be
exempt and how are they held responsible for the material they miss
during
the dissections?
Thanks for your input,
Amy Troyer
Lancaster General College of Nursing
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