Improving Students’ Class Participation and Academic Performance in Anatomy and Physiology Concepts Through Virtual Dissection
Posted: 28 Mar 2019
Date Written: January 5, 2019
Abstract
Virtual dissection is a new trend in studying animal anatomy and physiology. This study utilized Froguts virtual dissection program as an alternative method to physical dissection to improve students’ class participation and academic performance in anatomy and physiology concepts. It investigated the significant changes in the academic performance of learners after being exposed to Froguts virtual dissection in an action research; and investigated the learners’ perceptions on the conduct of animal dissection. Sixty-four grade eleven learners grouped into control and experimental groups were given pre-test and post-test to determine their academic performance. The study showed that Froguts virtual dissection improved the students’ class participation and academic performance in anatomy and physiology concepts. The z-tests revealed the significant difference between the pre-test and post-test mean scores of the learners, showing a significant improvement of the learners’ academic performance; and the significant difference between the performance rating of the students in 1st and 2nd Quarter, showing improvement in their participation rating. The study also revealed the learners’ perceptions of Froguts virtual dissection as an effective, more accessible, emotionally and morally acceptable, more informative, and educational alternative approach to physical dissection. Further studies to develop and innovate virtual laboratories to address present limitations are highly recommended. Utilization of virtual dissection and other ICT-based activities was also recommended in teaching Biology in the Basic Education Curriculum.
Keywords: Anatomy & Physiology, Physical Animal Dissection, Virtual Animal Dissection, Virtual Laboratory
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