Tim is right. In discussing ethical issues regarding animal research, we preach that simulations imply an understanding of the animal, which we don't really have. So, why do we suggest that they act as "researchers" with a simulation? Students will discover that a real animal (mouse, rat, pigeon, dog, or human) doesn't behave exactly like their textbook says.
Michael T. Scoles, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Psychology & Counseling University of Central Arkansas Conway, AR 72035 501-450-5418 >>> "Shearon, Tim" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 08/15/07 11:39 AM >>> Barbara- I'd think it would depend a bit on the goals for your course, your budgets, already existing facilities, etc.. For example, I'd totally agree that using Sniffy for in class demos in your intro course would be "easier" and I suspect about as effective a learning experience. But if you have a choice for their learning experience I'd go with the little critters! :) I think Sniffy is fine/ok when you haven't the infrastructure or budgets to have the real live rats (that's our situation). If given a choice I think the learning experience is way more engaging with the living breathing thing (and it obfuscates many likely misconceptions they might bring and pick up from the simulation- hmmm- that's a weird use for obfuscates but I like it!). I'm always concerned that they will come out of simulations believing the nonsense perpetuated by some groups (e.g., PETA) that we can do "real research" without the animals by just using simulations! That's just my two cents. Tim _______________________________ Timothy O. Shearon, PhD Professor and Chair Department of Psychology Albertson College of Idaho Caldwell, ID 83605 email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] teaching: intro to neuropsychology; psychopharmacology; general; history and systems "it is not enough these days to simply QUESTION AUTHORITY. You have to speak with it, too." - Taylor Mali -----Original Message----- From: Brown, Barbara [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wed 8/15/2007 8:37 AM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS) Subject: [tips] Sniffy vs real rats Does anyone have experience using both real rats and Sniffy? Would you be able to compare how this worked for you as an instructor in each case? Were learning goals for students the same and were they met? It's been several years since we have had the students train rats in our intro course. It used to be the three weeks they would complain about the most while doing it, but they ended up with a really good learning experience. We now actually bring an operant box in to class to show them what we're talking about in lecture, because otherwise they seem really confused by the textbook portions that talk about conditioning rats, levers, magazines, etc. I can't say I miss the time and expense of purchasing, housing, feeding, and otherwise caring for real rats, though. Thanks, Barbara Barbara Brown Psychology Department Technical Assistant 1116 8th Ave Grinnell College Grinnell, IA 50112 Phone: 641-269-3171 FAX: 641-269-4285 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- To make changes to your subscription go to: http://acsun.frostburg.edu/cgi-bin/lyris.pl?enter=tips&text_mode=0&lang=english --- To make changes to your subscription go to: http://acsun.frostburg.edu/cgi-bin/lyris.pl?enter=tips&text_mode=0&lang=english
