Biology

St Philomena’s Catholic Primary School – UL, Kent

The lesson objective: To identify the various stages in the lifecycle of a frog. To use technology to enhance learning visualiser and digital cameraHow the visualiser was used: The small fish tank containing the tadpoles was placed under the Visualiser, and the arm of Visualiser was bent over and turned towards the corner of the tank. The appearance of the tadpoles were highlighted and compared to how they looked before half term. The zoom button on the Visualiser was used to try to allow the children to see the froglet which had developed front and rear legs. We tried to encourage the froglet onto the rock in the tank so that the children could see how the froglet now moved. An ability to hop as well as being able to swim.

The benefits of the Visualiser to teaching & learning​:

• All the children were able to share the excitement of seeing the developments of the tadpoles which we received as frog spawn several weeks ago.
• Rekindled the interest in the tadpoles now that they had changed their appearance
• Some views clearer than using the small magnifying glasses we have in class.
• Allowed the children to experience a new form of technology.

Corpus Christi Catholic School – UK, New Malden

The lesson objective: To understand the life cycle of a butterfly.

How the visualiser/document-camera was used: The visualiser was used to show the children the life cycle of a butterfly through a pupil that was doing it at home and brought it to school to show class. Children were shown a caterpillar. The caterpillars were put into a habitat and fed with leaves. As time went on children were shown the chrysalis and eventually the butterfly. Children were shown the butterfly using the visualiser. Butterflies were released into the school conservation garden.

The benefits of the Visualiser/Document camera to teaching & learning

• All children could see the chrysalis on the big screen.
• Enabled children to discuss the life cycle.
• Enabled children to see the butterfly.

Rosebud Primary School – USA, Texas

The lesson objective: Observing and discussing a living organism at different levels of magnification.

How the visualiser/document camera was used: After the teacher walked around and showed each child the worm up close, we then looked at it through the visualiser which was positioned over a microscope eyepiece. The kids got to see what the worm looked like, and we were able to discuss how the worm moved around. After seeing it through the microscope, we removed the microscope and placed the worm under the visualiser alone. We looked at the worm itself, then added some dirt so the kids could see how the worm dug its way into the pile of dirt.

The benefits of the Visualiser/Document camera to teaching & learning:

• We were able to view the organism through the microscope as a class, aiding the discussion and ensuring clarity.
• Young kids can experience frustration and disappointment with microscopes, this allowed those kids to view the organism without experiencing these emotions.
• Since we were viewing a living organism, using the visualiser ensured that it would not be harmed and would only experience minimal agitation.