The microscope is an ubiquitous tool in the undergraduate biology laboratory. Implementing a hierarchical approach, students were introduced to skills in microscopy. Initially, students attempted to locate and examine a specimen on a prepared slide. Subsequently, students employed the microscope to recognize and describe the stages of mitosis in plant cells, observing particular features for each phase in onion (Allium) root tip. During the session, students created a wet mount with Brown planaria (Dugesia tigrina) and practiced using the microscope to observe live organisms. While developing skills in microscopy, parallel laboratory activities also included creating scientific illustrations and quantifying the proportion of cells in each stage of the cell cycle, integrating research skills (gathering, analyzing, interpreting data) as part of the exercise. In addition, we have adapted peer-to-peer teaching, where upper year students created a video microscopy tutorial. This supplemental resource provided first year students with an overview of the standard procedures and key components of a microscope. After reviewing the video, a majority of biology students felt more confident and comfortable using a microscope and more aware of practices which contribute to improper use. Coupling in-laboratory and online resources promoted student development of practical techniques.
Keywords: microscopy, mitosis, instructional video resources
University of Ottawa (2019)
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