Learning and Leading - September/October 2010

BUYER’Sguide

Since the 16th century, people have been intrigued with finding ways to view objects in more detail using increasingly complex methods of magnification. In 1590, two eyeglass makers in the Netherlands created the first microscope. Antoni van Leeuwenhoek made two of the earliest discoveries, when he brought red blood cells and microorganisms into focus. Since then, microscopes have been used widely in medicine, forensics, and classrooms to conduct investigations, promote inquiry, or simply satisfy curiosity.

Before the advent of affordable digital microscopes, the magnified images students viewed in class were often blurry, poorly lit, and visible by only one student at a time. Teachers used microscopes only in science classes, and activities were usually limited to viewing prepared slides.

Today’s digital microscopes provide students and teachers with a much larger array of possibilities. One of the most significant improvements has been the addition of recording capabilities. Even some microscopes under $50 have the ability to photograph still images, allowing students to capture what they see, edit the image, and include it in a digital slideshow or movie. They can also label the parts of a magnified item, indicate subtle differences between similar specimens, or show the progression of developmental stages of an organism.

Almost all digital microscopes can
also record video. Students can edit
the recordings, insert text screens
or diagrams, and add voiceovers for
explanation. Time-lapse functions
record change over time, allowing
students to capture images as often as
once a second.