5 Creative Ways to Teach Microscopy

Microscopy is a wondrous and fundamental technique in scientific investigation. When we introduce this basic idea to our students for the first time, we are empowering them to become future researchers who will delve into the intricate details of the microscopic realm. 

With advancements in science and technology, microscopy too has come a long way. If we look around us now, there are a variety of improvements in the basic microscopy technique like optical, fluorescence, electron (transmission and scanning), atomic probe, and many more. While all these different versions help scientists in the improved analysis of samples with exceptional resolution and precision, the basics of microscopy remain the same. 

To improve that basic understanding of microscopy and help educators pave their way, we have enlisted 5 creative ways here.  

1.  Use Interactive Models and Simulations

Models and simulations are amazing tools to incorporate into your teaching methodologies to improve students’ comprehension of data-heavy topics like microscopy. Using virtual models, you can provide students with a more visually-engaging learning experience of microscopy in case of a lack of infrastructure.  

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Simulations that mimic the mechanisms and functions of various microscopes can also come in handy as the advanced state-of-the-art facilities might not be available at all teaching institutions. Educators are recommended to try out Labster’s scientifically-designed Microscopy Simulation where your students can play with different types of microscopes, learn their handling and sample preparation procedures and compare them with each other.

2. Learning with Games and Activities

Educators can rely on gamed-based learning methods to improve the understanding of microscopy and related terminologies. Research has shown how gamification offers a powerful approach to enhancing students’ engagement in classroom learning. Few of the most integral benefits of including gamified elements while teaching microscopy would be:

• Active Learning: Through hands-on experiences and decision-making in the Virtual Game, students will gain a deeper understanding of microscopy concepts and principles.
• Practical Application: Gamification will allow students to apply their theoretical knowledge of different stains like Anilin, Orange G, and Fuchsin to practical situations when dealing with different types of virtual samples.  

3. Infusing Technology into Study Plans

Educators can leverage the power of various technological tools to enrich the learning experience while educating students about different types of microscopy. You can create online tutorials and instructional videos that students can replay as many times as they want to learn about different important ideas related to the topic like “the importance of magnification”, “different staining methods”, “differences between confocal and fluorescence microscopy”, etc.

You can also increase their exposure to more advanced microscopy techniques like fluorescence microscopy by using Labster’s Virtual Staining and Imaging Tool. As students engage with virtual staining protocols like using DAPI to stain nuclei, they can learn more about different cellular structures.

Discover Labster's Microscopy virtual lab today!

4. Inspiring Learners by Connecting to Career Prospects

There is plenty of exciting career prospects that require researchers to be thoroughly skilled with different microscopy techniques. Quoting and highlighting these career opportunities will instill a sense of purpose in your students as your delve deeper into the topic's intricacies. 

You can invite such researchers, scientists, entrepreneurs, etc who have established their work and businesses on this magnificent technique. As they discuss how microscopy plays a crucial role in their work, whether it’s in medical diagnostics, materials science, forensics, or pharmaceutical start-up, students can get a firsthand account of how impactful this technique is in a real-world context.

5. Connecting the Topic to Real-World Applications

By making students realize the importance of learning this technique to solve real-world issues, you can garner a greater appreciation for the subject. These real-world applications will effectively prove the practical relevance and significance of microscopy in both academic and industrial domains. Some of the notable examples that can be discussed in a classroom setting are:

• You can emphasize how microscopy is vital in biomedical research and medicine; enabling the visualization of cellular structures, the identification of disease markers, diagnostics, pathology, and understanding the intricacies of cellular processes.
• You can illustrate how microscopy plays a crucial role in materials science and nanotechnology; enabling scientists to observe and manipulate materials at the atomic and nanoscale level and aiding the development of advanced materials and nanodevices.

Final thoughts

We understand that teaching topics like microscopy can be challenging due to the lack of infrastructure and appropriate lab facilities. Though modern-day teaching poses several challenges and evolving student needs, these can be addressed through the adoption of new strategies and increased efforts by teachers. 

References

1. Cahyani, A. D. (2016). A gamification approach to enhance students' engagement in studying language courses. In MATEC Web of Conferences (Vol. 58, p. 03006). EDP Sciences.