Your contribution to my project helped create excitement, exploration and educational progress in my classroom. My students are using the new science equipment to discover a microscopic world that is hard to see, even under our regular microscopes. The electronic microscopes that connect to the student computers and can be projected on my Promethean board, has made the microscopic process on an almost "life size" scale.
In the beginning of the project that I had planned, we ran into technical difficulties and the software to the electronic microscope was not compatible with our school's computers. It was made for a PC and we are a Mac school, so the long quest for the right software began. After calling several different technological supports staff at Apple and ken-a-vision, we discovered that it was an operating system problem. We had to wait for the updated software to arrive. We finally got the updated software and were able to investigate our new equipment.
Students go to look at their skin cells and hair under the microscope without peering through the tiny holes of our old microscope. They investigated the surface of their desk and one student described as "another world". Then they got really excited and looked at everything, the fibers of their clothes, the soles of their shoes, the doors, the walls, their books, which amazed one student who said, "Cool! The picture is put together by a bunch of tiny little dots!"
We will use the digital microscopes to capture and record images and videos on compatible computers. Our compound microscope (two or more lenses) as we know it today has evolved since its creation in 1590. These now offer digital technology that allows us to achieve higher quality recorded images. Microscopes are synonymous with thoughts of science and laboratories, but are great tools to teach skills across multiple disciplines. Since the invention of the microscope, teachers have been able to increase student learning in their classrooms by using this technology. These digital microscopes have many features that make them a useful tool in the classroom. Some of these features include the drawing and painting tools and the time-lapse option. Included in this module was information about the microscope, its features, instructional links, educational usage examples, and tips for teachers incorporating the technology, which I intend to utilize to its fullest extent.
There are many advantages to using a digital microscope in the classroom. First, the digital technology allows for better images to be captured when magnified by the microscope, as well as the ability to capture and show images in real-time. A big benefit to using the digital microscope in the classroom is the ability to allow whole group viewing with a projector. This is a time-efficient instructional strategy that will allow clear viewing access for all students in the class. Finally, it is easy to build in student exploration into lessons that incorporate digital microscopes because it is kid-friendly and easy to use.
It is amazing to watch students as they make discoveries and take charge of their own learning. We will use the microscopes even more with our life science unit the last quarter of the year. Students will look at the different stages of mitosis in their own cheek cells and in the cells of an onion. None of this would have ever been possible without the generous contributions that you made to my project. Thank you again, for making my job easier and keeping the students engaged and interested.
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With gratitude,
Mrs. Brewington