Anyone who teaches human, animal or plant anatomy knows the value of a good anatomical model – and most will tell you that they’re on a constant lookout for new, high-quality models. Over the years, we’ve spoken with hundreds of anatomy and physiology instructors about what makes a good anatomical model. In this post, we’ll share the standards we hold all our anatomical models to.
Why are anatomical models important?
For those looking to enter the various healthcare fields, a thorough knowledge of anatomy and physiology is vital – after all, healthcare and the human body go hand in hand. Anatomy and physiology are fundamental in understanding how the body is normally structured and how it normally functions.
When a health care worker understands the normal structure and function of the body, he or she has a base to help them recognize conditions that are abnormal. Anatomy and physiology courses are essential to any career in health care.
However, anatomy and physiology can be difficult to understand at times, and many students find that they need extra help. Nursing students are often excluded from experiences like exposure to cadaveric material that might enable them to gain a good working knowledge of internal human anatomy. This is where high-quality anatomical models can help.
Requirements of a good anatomical model
When we add a new model to our anatomical model product line, we make sure it:
Look and feels real.
You know you have a good model when the students buy into it. How can you tell? They like it; they might even say how cool (or disgusting) it looks and they treat it like real anatomy.
Teaches what it says it will.
It works if it includes the organs or the system it says it does. This is particularly effective when the anatomical models can be taken apart and assembled by students. Students can learn anatomy in-situ which gives it the extra element of realism.
Matches the curriculum used in the classroom.
Why is that requirement important? You can have the best-looking anatomical model around, but if you cannot use it or integrate it seamlessly into your curriculum, then it is not the best choice.
Are you ready to add high-quality anatomical models to your classroom?
- Get a “mini lesson” on using anatomical models to teach content related to body structure and function in this on-demand webinar, “Using Anatomical Models to Teach Body Structure and Function:”
- Explore our entire selection of human, animal and plant anatomical models
- See the resources we offer for refreshing programs focused on nursing, CNA, medical assisting and other content areas.
