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Monday, May 27, 2013

Teaching Tool Changes how 'Biology' is Taught!

 n 2005, high school biology teacher, John MacLellan created a new set of hand built, magnetic cell biology teaching models. MacLellan and his students had an immediate connection to his one of a kind teaching models resulting in MacLellan developing the company VIRTmac in 2007. VIRTmac stands for: Visual Interactive Revolutionary Tactile Magnetic Classroom. VIRTmac models are now used in over 1000 classrooms around the world.

VIRTmac - Cell Biology Manipulatives for Teachers and Students

> a brilliant unifying model for teaching all aspects of cell biology

> hands down the most cost effective teaching models on the market - nothing comes close!

> easily demonstrate dynamic and complex cell processes

> students are not passive observers during lessons

> students love to touch and manipulate the model

> covers curriculum for grades 8,9,10,11 and 12

> the term interactive is sometimes too easily used, but VIRTmac students can really get involved

> can be used to teach 40 or more different lessons

> VIRTmac models evolve as the curriculum evolves

TEACHER QUOTES:

> the model saved a lot of time

> it is so good to have a model that covers so many aspects of cell biology that you can manipulate and develop further

> it's a whole new approach for me and I would use it without hesitation

> I was particularly impressed on how we can use this model to explain oxidative phosphorylation and photophosphorylation - very difficult concepts to get across.

> Cell size! How obvious a way to explain surface area to volume ratios!

> daring departure from mainstream teaching

> In thirty years, I have seen nothing that rivals this as a means of enabling students to discuss the chemical processes of life

STUDENT QUOTES:

> I understood biology for the first time because I can see the cell parts moving

> For once, I was able to fully understand what was going on in the process instead of just memorizing a bunch of words out of the text book.

> I cannot imagine learning biology without the VIRTmac model

> Now that I am in University I wish my professors would teach some of their lessons with the VIRTmac models.

Three VIRTmac learning kits are available: http://www.biologyteachingtools.com.

Company Name: VIRTmac Creator
Contact Person: John MacLellan
Email:Send Email
Phone: (519) 472-0549
Website: http://www.biologyteachingtools.com
Source: www.abnewswire.com

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