Peer Review

Learn The Compound Microscope | Open Oregon State

Material Detail page

Reviewed:: Dec 28, 2021 by Biology

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:

This site contains a video about how to use the compound microscope, a quiz, and a virtual practice lab exercise.

Type of Material:

Simulation, animation, tutorial

Recommended Uses:

The material would be best used as homework prior to actually using the microscope or for an online course.

Technical Requirements:

Current web browser

Identify Major Learning Goals:

While there is no specific list of learning outcomes, the site clearly intends to provide student with a guide to the parts of the compund microscope and the use of each.

Target Student Population:

High School, College General Ed, College Lower Division, College Upper Division

Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

Basic famiiliarity with a current web browser. It is intended for beginning users.

Content Quality

Rating:

Strengths:

The content is well organized and follows good pedagogy
The video and included exercise guide student through learning the parts of and the use of the compound microscope.
Interactivity keeps users interested in the material
Animations are well done Animations and simulations are accurate and straightforward
A simple quiz helps student assess learning

Concerns:

No deficiencies noted

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:

Strengths:

This is a hands-on exercise for pre lab or use by students who do not have access to a compund miscroscope.
The video can be used multiple times to reinforce learning
The "Learn the Parts" portion is very complete
The material is interactive and hence, keeps users actively involved with the learning experience
Repeating the quiz tests different parts of the microscope
The quiz can be used as an assessment of student learning by both student and instructor.

Concerns:

There is only one object to view in the exercise. Multiple objects would enhance potential effectiveness of the material.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:

Strengths:

Site is fast and intuitive
Narrations and animations played simultaneously without problems
Information is easy to understand
Possible adjustments are clearly labeled.
Clicking on the part provides a slider bar to manipulate the part.
Immediate feedback provided to student on quiz

Concerns:

The sliding bar used to adjust the virtual micsoscope use does not work as well with trackpad.
The focus did not resolve the image as clearly at higher objective power.

Other Issues and Comments:: This is a Creative Commons licensed material (attribution, non-commercial, no derivative) and can be easily adopted. Ideal for online instructions.
Creative Commons: