Dissecting Frogs and Earthworms the Virtual Way

As educators continue to rely on interactive programs to bring real-world experiences to students, Glencoe/McGraw-Hill announces the release of Interactive Dissections, a CD-ROM and Web-based program that will enable middle and high school students to "dissect" frogs and earthworms from their computers.

The interactive program, developed in conjunction with the Schneider & Morse Group, is the first of its kind to use real images of frog and earthworm specimens during the dissection. This is the first time this college-level technology has been adapted for the secondary classroom. A demo of the program can be viewed by clicking here: http://www.glencoe.com/sites/international/teacher/science/index.html. (Once on the Glencoe Science page, scroll down to the Interactive Dissections frog and click to load the demo.)

McGraw-Hill Higher Education and the principals of the Schneider & Morse Group teamed up with the University of Toledo in 2005 to offer college students the first virtual cadaver dissection software, award-winning Anatomy & Physiology Revealed®. The technology from that program has been adapted for Interactive Dissections.

"Interactive Dissections will change the way dissection lessons are conducted," said Steve McClung, president of McGraw-Hill School Solutions Group, which includes Glencoe. "For the first time, students have the opportunity to use state-of-the-art layering technology to digitally dissect frogs and earthworms. While other products offer animations and illustrations, this is the closest thing to a real dissection and, in some ways, offers more benefits than actual dissection."

The specimens featured in the program are pre-dissected by an anatomist so students are able to "peel away" the different virtual layers of the frog or earthworm to reveal its anatomy. Unlike a real dissection, mistakes can be easily corrected and students can retrace their steps for deeper understanding.

Interactive Dissections provides a cost-effective alternative to schools with dissection guidelines, budget challenges or student philosophical objections and also can be used as preparation for real dissection and post-dissection study. Smartboard ready, the program is easily adapted to whole-class or individual lessons.

In addition to real photography, 3-D animations help clarify anatomical relationships. An audiovisual glossary feature makes learning key terminology easier for all students. The digital program benefits students and teachers by allowing for outside the classroom dissection study and test preparation through a comprehensive quizzing component students can use for self-assessment.

The program can be used in both middle and high school programs because it includes leveled lessons to meet the needs of various grades. Middle school students can learn basic concepts while high school biology lessons are more advanced.

For more information about Interactive Dissections, please visit http://www.glencoe.com/sites/international/teacher/science/index.html.

About Glencoe/McGraw-Hill

Glencoe/McGraw-Hill is part of McGraw-Hill School Solutions Group (MHSSG). The group combines Macmillan/McGraw-Hill, which focuses on Grades PreK-6, and Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, which serves Grades 6-12. MHSSG is the only major educational publishing business to provide a comprehensive approach to the development of print and digital instructional materials from pre-kindergarten through high school. Additional information is available at http://www.glencoe.com/.

About McGraw-Hill Education

McGraw-Hill Education, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP), is a leading global provider of instructional, assessment and reference solutions that empower professionals and students of all ages. Brands include CTB/McGraw-Hill, Glencoe, Macmillan/McGraw-Hill, McGraw-Hill Higher Education, SRA, The Grow Network and Wright Group. McGraw-Hill Education has offices in 33 countries and publishes in more than 40 languages. Additional information is available at http://www.mheducation.com/.

  Contact:    Tom Stanton                       Caroline Golon
              McGraw-Hill Education             Paul Werth Associates
              (212) 904-3214                    (614) 678-9565
              tom_stanton@mcgraw-hill.com       cgolon@paulwerth.com

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SOURCE: Glencoe/McGraw-Hill

CONTACT: Tom Stanton
McGraw-Hill Education
(212) 904-3214
tom_stanton@mcgraw-hill.com
Caroline Golon
Paul Werth Associates
(614) 678-9565
cgolon@paulwerth.com

Web site: http://www.mheducation.com/
http://www.glencoe.com/