Construction of A Model Demonstrating Neural Pathways and Reflex Arcs.
Chan, Vivien, Jeanna M. Pisegna, Rebecca L. Rosian and Stephen E. DiCarlo.
Department of Physiology, Northeastern Ohio Universities, College of
Medicine, Rootstown, OH 44272.
APStracts 2:0019S, 1995.
ABSTRACT
Employment opportunities in the future will require higher skills and an
understanding of mathematics and science. As a result of the growing number of
careers that require solid science and mathematics training, the methods of
science education are undergoing major reform. To adequately equip students
for technologically-advanced positions, new teaching methods must be developed
which prepare tomorrow's workforce for the challenges of the twenty-first
century. One such method is the use of models. By actively building and
manipulating concrete models that represent scientific concepts, students are
involved in the most basic level of Piaget's learning scheme: the sensorimotor
stage. Models are useful in reaching all students at the foundational levels
of learning, and further learning experiences are rapidly moved through higher
learning levels. This success ensures greater comprehension and understanding
as compared to the traditional methods of rote memorization. We developed an
exercise for the construction of an inexpensive, easy-to-build model
demonstrating neural pathways and reflex arcs. Our exercise also includes many
supplemental teaching tools. The exercise is designed to fulfill the need of
sound physiological teaching materials for high school students.
Received 25 August 1995; accepted in final form 14 August 1996.
APS Manuscript Number S022-5.
Article publication pending J. Neurophysiol.
ISSN 1080-4757 Copyright 1996 The American Physiological Society.
Published in APStracts on 19 September 1996