Digital Microscopes in the Elementary Science Classroom - Effective, Affordable, and Easy to Use

Advances in digital microscope technology over theable to participate and learn easily with the rest of the
last few years have resulted in great benefits forclass. This inclusion of all students in the science
students. While there are many different types ofexploration process will expand and empower
digital microscopes, they fall into one of two mainstudents with special needs to participate in learning
categories, those that connect to the TV and thosemore actively.
that connect to the computer through a USB port.The scopes made for use with televisions or data
Instead of students being required to shareprojectors lack the functions and features of the
microscopes and discuss their findings without anyscopes that integrate with a computer using a USB
references, the digital microscopes allow the entireport. These systems are able to record still images, do
class to view specimens and discuss findings as atime-lapse videos, and provide a continual flow of
group.information to students relative to the specimen they
One type of digital microscope plugs into a dataare studying. An educator can easily develop a lesson
projector or television. This makes the process ofplan that will include the splitting of a cell, or the growth
teaching science to a classroom much more dynamic,process of fungi or bacteria and treat students to the
easier and more cost effective. The presentation ofwonderful excitement of watching nature in action.
specimens and discussion can be accomplished easilyThe most effective microscopes for education use
by placing the television in the front of the classroomare designed to provide greater magnification of 10x to
where all students have a clear view of the screen.200x or higher. They also include easy-to-use controls
The educator places the specimen under the handheldfor LED lighting which will allow for adaptation to light
microscope for view by the entire classroom.sources in the classroom more easily.
The educator is able to use the television to point outMany teachers find that using the digital microscope in
details of the specimen, encourage participate by allconjunction with desk microscopes allows for more
students, and fulfill the objectives of the lesson planflexibility in teaching techniques and methods. It is very
using one microscope. There is no need for softwarepowerful to have the instructor be able to display what
or extra equipment to make the microscope a vitalthe students are looking for in their desktop
part of the educational process.microscopes. The interaction of students and educator
Students will be able to learn the steps for dissectingwhen students know what they are looking at allows
specimens properly without the normal trial and errorthe educator to focus on the project and specimen at
that often accompanies this process. In addition, grouphand for the entire class instead of spending time at
discussion, questions, and answers always serveindividual desks telling students the same information.
educators well when presenting new or unusualThe benefits of using a digital microscope in
content to students. Teaching students about theelementary science classrooms are tremendous. The
cellular structure of animals and plants can be easilySmartScope by SmartSchool Systems is affordable
accomplished using the large, clear, and crisp pictureand easy to use and opens doors for educators and
provided by the television screen or data projector.students. Educators are able to create dynamic lesson
An added benefit of this type of system is thatplans that utilize the full applications of the microscope
students with special needs, who may not normally bewhile the students benefit from the wonderful world
able to handle the small controls of a microscope orthat has been opened to them through this modern
be able to navigate the intricacies of the scope, will betechnology.