When learning a new skill, hands-on experience is essential; knowledge, confidence and understanding are all boosted by this type of learning. In an agriculture classroom, however, barriers like access to live animals can prevent students from getting the repeated practice they need to develop skills. That’s especially true in the case of learning how to safely deliver calves and give students an understanding of conducting bovine ultrasounds, which have a major impact on any agriculture operation’s bottom line.
Training tools like Realityworks’ Bovine Birthing and Ultrasound Simulator can help. Use this lifelike simulator to create a variety of realistic scenarios that give students hands-on experience and repetition without the need for live animals.
Scenario: The birthing process of a calf
By placing the realistic-sized Birthing Simulator on a tabletop, students can practice calf delivery and pulling using a variety of calf positions. The simulator is designed so students can practice using straps and a pulling handle, or connect a calf jack. Because the Birthing Simulator is anatomically correct, students can get realistic experience – moving the tail, then reaching inside to find the hooves and head and determine proper head placement. Students can use landmarks to determine where to grab the calf, then gain knowledge of how to safely and humanly pull a calf.
Scenario Based: How do bovine ultrasounds work?
The simulator includes Ultrasound Simulation, probe and tablet. Sensors enable students to experience multiple birthing scenarios to learn from. By working through each situation in practice, simulation and test mode, students get immediate feedback on their actions (which today’s students crave) and learn to identify and practice correct ultrasound techniques.
Additionally, the ultrasound focuses on different bovine pregnancy scenarios. In fact, it has two settings: pregnancy diagnosis and pregnancy issues. The scenarios feature a variety of situations, from a pregnant, healthy animal to an unhealthy animal.
Scenario: Newborn calf care
The Birthing Calf Model that comes with the Bovine Birthing and Ultrasound Simulator is heavy and pliable, much like a newborn calf. It mimics the weight of a newly born calf, including accurately proportioned legs and hooves. Students can hold and interact with the calf while the instructor addresses newborn calf features and concerns.
Unfortunately, many things can go wrong when a cow gives birth, but being able to practice addressing those challenges on a simulator will help students correct mistakes while still in the learning process – and prepare for success in the real world. What’s more, those skills can be practiced repeatedly in an engaging, hands-on way.
VIDEO: See our Bovine Birthing Simulator in action
Watch Realityworks Product Manager Jamey McIntosh review our Bovine Birthing and Ultrasound Simulator:
