3D Models for Insect Education

[connyfeldt]

Hi, fellow bug lovers! I wanted to ask your opinion on something. I'm a teacher with a personal interest (since university) on the depiction and reception of insects and microworlds in literature and culture.

I came across these 3D Models that you can download onto your phone and have the specimen 'appear' in front of you! I first saw one in use on an iPad at a butterfly house in my town last year and have been looking for them ever since. I think they're really cool and you can zoom in and flip the model round to get a really detailed view.

I think the kids would get a kick, for example, out of holding a slug in their hand or having a butterfly in the classroom.

What do you guys think of these? I find them pretty accurate! I was thinking of trying to use them in the classroom to introduce insects into my lesson - I was thinking a good lesson for this could be art (but this doesn't exactly fit into the butterfly art forum here so I posted here instead) because the kids can zoom and flip the models around and see it from all angles to give them some depth and perspective to their drawings. I might tie this in with discussing insect biology and how their markings mean different things - camouflage/defence etc.

How would you guys use them? Do you think they'd be a good idea or just a distraction?

Any input would be great - I've downloaded a few to play with and I'll make some notes before I try them at school.

[yorky]

There is no replacement for using real insects to educate children,  all other things are a pale imitation. You learn more out in the field in a week than you can in a classroom in a year. That's why the knowledge of old school collectors surpasses the new breed of entomologist because it's based on personal experience. 

[kevinkk]

Nov 18, 2020 7:56:02 GMT -8 yorky said:

There is no replacement for using real insects to educate children,  all other things are a pale imitation. You learn more out in the field in a week than you can in a classroom in a year. That's why the knowledge of old school collectors surpasses the new breed of entomologist because it's based on personal experience. 

I remember "outdoor school" were kids went to a camp environment for a week.
Later as a teenager I went as a counselor twice.
Do children still have outdoor school?
Present circumstances aside.

Virtuality is all nice new tech, and probably has a place, but it can't be your only experience. One problem with tech, in my opinion,
is that a person needs to own a device. Like a so called- "smartphone" When buying the product of a provider is your only means of 
being educated,that is a slippery slope. 
By going outdoors, you'll find out what problems are associated with slippery slopes.

[yorky]

It just seems to be the way now, an app, a gadget, a device. The best way to educate children in the wonders of the outside world is to actually take them outside. All of the great entomologists past and present were and are field workers.