Advances in Physiology Education, Vol 271, Issue 6 14-S42, Copyright © 1996 by American Physiological Society
Construction of a model demonstrating neural pathways and reflex arcs
V. Chan, J. M. Pisegna, R. L. Rosian and S. E. DiCarlo
Department of Physiology, Northeastern Ohio Universities, College of Medicine, Rootstown 44272, USA.
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 that prepare tomorrow's workforce for the challenges of the
21st 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 compared with 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.
