Expanding Your World With Handheld Digital Microscopes

Achieving Standards, 21st Century Skills and Dispositions

MacGregor Kniseley, Ed. D. ProfessorHM 209, Rhode Island College

600 Mt. Pleasant AvenueProvidence, RI 02908

c - (401) 351-0358e- mkniseley@ric.edu

Handheld Digital Microscopesare tools for engaging students and

improving scientific and creative thinking.

Use handheld digital microscopes to observe closely, draw, interpret, and think by analogy

Achieve Standards and 21st Century SkillsLessons Using Handheld Digital Microscopes

Life Sciences1- Structure and Function

Science Practices 2 – Developing & Using Models3 – Planning & Carrying Out Investigations

Language - Vocabulary Acquisition & Use

Reading - Key Ideas & Details- Craft and Structure- Range of Reading & Level of Text Complexity

MathematicsMeasurement and Data

21st Century Learning Hands-on Approach, Seamless Teaching and Learning

Integrating Technology – Opportunities for Project-Based Learning

Students use digital microscopes while learningscience, reading, language arts, and mathematics.

“I’ve taught FOSS Insects for years. Now, with digital microscopes, my Grade 2 students acquire and use more vocabulary – more labels, describing words and similes.” – Grade 2 Teacher

Students use digital microscopesin art education programs.

They capture magnified images and create digital artwork.

Magnified Image of Color Printed Material

Use award-winning children’s literature to introduce students to different microscopes.

Students engage and make text-to-self connectionsWith realistic fiction, Greg’s Microscope by Millicent Selsam & Arnold Lobel.

Students connect to the real world of science using informational text and biography,

Hidden Worlds by Stephen Kramer and Dennis Kunkel.

Learn about the life of Dennis Kunkel, a professional scientist. View his photographs of small objects taken with different microscopes. Receive advice for becoming a scientist.

Students learn science practices.Which scientific tool is best for observing small objects?

A Plastic Hand Lens?

A Plastic Microscope?

A Traditional Compound Microscope?

A Handheld Digital Microscope?

With handheld digital microscopes, students can capture still, video, & time-lapse images and

observe small objects together.

Digital microscopes are easy to use, have greater magnification (10x – 200x),

and can be used to view all materials.

Comparing Greg’s Microscope with Handheld Digital Microscopes

Use Different Magnification Tools in a One Digital Microscope - Classroom