Proscope

Not sure that the Proscope is actually information communication technology but thought it was well worth mention in my blog as a useful piece of technology in the classroom, particularly for science teachers. If you've never seen one, or your school hasn't got one... get one!

It is simply a microscope an a camera in one.... the possibilities are endless. This has allowed students who are either lacking confidence with microscope use, or perhaps just simply bored by it, the ability to become engaged and bewildered by the amazing little critters that surround us everyday. My previously non-participating, non-engaged, bored-out-of-their-brains students have decided that this little tool is fun. It enables you to take great photos of microscopic 'things' in a digital format.

I have used these to print photos for our classroom walls, projected them onto the board with the digital projector as part of a lesson, and though not implemented have been taken with the idea of uploading the photos students have taken to their own blog as part of a journal or something similar. I have encouraged students to take pictures and use them as part of a presentation I had them do on insects - what a great way to explore an antennae, see the texture of a butterflies wings or check out the thousands of eyes on a fly! Best of all, students can do it themselves, it is very interactive and they can get immediate feedback, encouragement and rewards by seeing the photos they have taken come up on the computer screen.

The lab techs at my school are equally as enthusiastic. It was a large investment but worth every penny!