Resources in Biological Sciences
Interactive microscopy and computing teaching laboratory
Microscopes are a traditional and powerful tool in biology teaching and learning. Computers are now a fact of life and most homes have one. However, learning how to use computers effectively in the sophisticated modern context of science requires special facilities. We are proud of our new teaching laboratories that bring the full power of computing into everyday laboratory situations. These laboratories were developed jointly with Motic Microscopes and Australian Instrument Services and in association with these partners we are continuing to develop new ways of teaching with the very latest technology.
Current conventional microscopy, and to some extent computing, can be an isolating activity. Enabling students to project their working images, programs or spreadsheets onto a local monitor or class screen effectively engages students more in small group or class level interactivity and learning and it enables the teacher to be more involved at the individual, local and class level. It provides opportunities, for the teacher to monitor the progress of both struggling and high achieving students.
Our new laboratory allows the teacher to take any student’s microscope or computer image and display it for the whole class or send it to one or more individuals. Students can work at their own pace while still being able to share and join in with the class activity. In teaching how to use the latest software, or using this software for statistical analysis or data presentation the teacher can control any or all of the student computers from anywhere in the laboratory. This novel system now allows us to teach the most up to date methods of image analysis and computing.
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