Imagine a world where dissections are a thing of the past; microscopic elements like cells can be viewed from all angles, both inside and out; and students wish their science classes would never end. Broadalbin-Perth High School biology teacher Brian Henry caught a glimpse of that world this week when his classroom became the first in the area to try a new 3D projection system.
Henry’s Honors Living Environment students donned battery-powered 3D glasses to view three-dimensional models and instructional videos during a demonstration of the technology on Tuesday morning. Henry first showed an animated model of the human heart, rotated it in midair, then virtually sliced it in half to allow students to see the four chambers of the heart. He then activated a feature to show virtual blood pumping into and out of the heart, allowing students to see the path the blood takes in a way they could never experience through a textbook.
“This technology is a novel way to present instructional material to students,” Henry said. “While it will certainly enhance the quality of lectures, it will also appeal to a wide variety of students and learning styles, and will keep students engaged in the learning process.”
After demonstrating the 3D model of the heart, Henry screened two brief 3D videos: One on cellular processes and one on the effects of medications on the AIDS virus. As time ran short in the class period, Henry let the students choose what other features they wanted to see; the final demonstration was a 3D model of the photosynthesis system, complete with a three-dimensional leaf and rays of sunlight.
“My students were shocked and awed by the visual simulations I ran,” Henry said. “They were excited and practically glued to the screen—some of them even tried to reach out and touch the image that was floating in front of them. Many of them were disappointed when the class period was over.”
Henry and his students will have access to the technology through Friday, March 2, at which point it will be returned to the Northeast Regional Information Center (NERIC) before being lent to another school district.
Broadalbin-Perth was first in line to try the technology thanks to Business Administrator /Chief Information Officer Marco Zumbolo’s role on NERIC’s Regional Advisory Committee and as the district’s liaison to the Model Schools program.
“As soon as I saw the demonstration, I knew we had to get it into our classrooms,” Zumbolo said. “I volunteered B-P for the first in-school test right away.”
Zumbolo said that each unit will cost schools $16,000. Although the technology is likely out of reach for the district, at least for the near future, Zumbolo said that it’s always good for the teachers and students to learn about the latest instructional technology that’s available.
Henry is already convinced of the value of the technology.
“This type of technology would help improve student test scores, student attendance, and create an overall enthusiasm for knowledge,” he said. “I truly think all students would be excited to come to class each day, knowing that this kind of technology awaits them.”