Visual+Perception+Kit

Visual Perception Kit Keith Madden - It's good to have some interactive experiments on how vision works. The depth perception apparatus could use some refinement in construction, since the subject could feel resistance on the control strings when the arrows are next to each other ( a way to cheat!).The illusion cards were fun. The peripheral vision experiment was probably the least interesting component, but still worth doing.

Alvin - The kit has a nice variety of vision activities. The depth perception apparatus was a nice idea but it was not built well. For depth perception in my classroom I stick 4 or 5 straws together to make one long straw. Hold one arm out straight and hold one end of the straw in your hand, keeping the entire length horizontal to the ground. Make the last 1 or 2 inches of the straw point vertically down and have the students try to lower the vertical tip into a film roll container using one eye or both.

Jim-The depth perception machine didn't work perfectly; the two arrows sometimes stuck to each other as they were passing. This would need to be adjusted. I think the optical illusion cards are only worthwhile if it is explained to the students //why// they look like that. Otherwise it's just play. Similarly, the peripheral vision exercise might be useful if it is explained to the students //why// or //what diseases// result in diminished peripheral vision.

Louann: Our group spent a little more time with the peripheral vision exercise and found out that peripheral vision cannot distinguish color well because there are very few cones in that region as opposed to rods! Also, I can recommend a real quick little interest-grabber relating to vision. You take an empty tin can with no lid and poke a hole in the center of the bottom to function as the pupil of the eye. Then, use a rubber band to attach some wax paper (not plastic wrap, but real wax paper) to the open end. Then project a very clear image on the overhead projector (I use a cutout of a stick figure). Darken the room and have students hold the tin can at arm's length with the pupil pointing toward the image. An upside-down image will form on the wax paper. It only takes a minute, but it really grabs their attention and drives home the point that the image formed on the retina is trul;y upside-down.

Mark - I really enjoyed this lab. I think it really does a good job of helping to demonstrate how vision works, the limitations, and to provide examples as to why our eyes are structured and function as they do. I was not able to try out all of the portions but the depth perception test is easily set up, quick, and very straightforward with results. I like that the activities do not take a lot of time and are not extremely complex! Granted, I may not teach these topics in bio, I just may borrow some things to give some fun activities at some point during the year! :)

Emily Zablocki- This lab is actually broken down into stations that the students can then rotate through to accomplish all of the tests. I believe this helps the teacher tremendously in cutting down set up time and also limits the materials that are needed. I think it could be done in many ways; with either giving the students the prior knowledge or by completeing the experiment and then explaining why what happens happened.

Carrie - Most anatomy teachers have a version of these vision labs, however, this is the most complete vision lab I have yet to come across. I was greatly impressed with the test for depth perception activity as the tool included in this kit is not similar to one that I have utilized before. This is a great lab for both new and experienced anatomy teachers!

Deb Semmler- this is another great lab for a human biology class. It was organized well and is fun and educational for the students. I will pass this one along also.