Microscope
Article

Using a Microscope with Students with Visual Impairments

Tips for using a microscope with students who are blind or visually impaired.

Last week in one of my classes a student with no vision asked why he needed to learn about how to use a microscope.  The light microscope is one of the most important technologies developed for life science as it was essential in the discovery of the cell and microorganisms.  Therefore all biology students should be taught the historical scientific significance of the microscope as they learn about how the microscope operates.  In response to the question posed by my student,   I explained the importance of the microscope and indicated that I would provide models or raised lines of images we view under the microscope. This student has turned out to be one of the most involved and interested as we have studied the manner in which the light microscope functions.

Which Microscope is Best for Students with Low Vision?

PentaView LCD Digital Microscope
PentaView LCD Digital Microscope

Though few students with visual impairments benefit from utilizing a light microscope directly, many students with low vision can benefit from devices which allow the microscope image to be displayed on a screen rather than through the eyepiece of the microscope.  The Celestron USB microscope is one such device which I utilize regularly for biology. The specific microscope that I use in class is the Pentaview LCD Digital microscope. The microscope is equipped with a small screen but can be connected to a large monitor to allow for viewing by students with low vision. 

How Can Microscope Work Be Made Accessible to Students Who Are Blind?

Students who are blind should be provided with models or raised-lines of the images displayed as low vision students view the image.  Cell Zone is a wonderful resource which provides 3-D Dynamic Cell Modelsmodels of some cell structures.  

If available, a 3-D printer is an excellent resource for producing models including models of plant, animal and bacterial cells, as well as viruses.  Read more about the use of 3-D printers to produce viral models.  

Animal cell modelsThe cell model that I recommend is the 3B® Animal and Plant Cell Models from Carolina Biology Supply.  There are other good models available as well.  The structures found within the cell (organelles) are often depicted as raised-line drawings in the textbook.  Ideally, the TVI (teacher of the visually imparied) will provide 3-D models of the organelles as well.  An artist may produce these if time allows. (Please see Collaboration with an Artist to Create Scientific Models.)

As middle school and high school life science students are introduced to the light microscope, students who are visually impaired should also be taught the parts of the microscope and their functions.  This can be accomplished more effectively by allowing visually impaired students to explore the microscope tactually while the instructor is teaching.  Ideally, the TVI will be present for this lesson.  The TVI should review the parts of the microscope before the lesson.  If possible, obtain an older microscope for the student to use so that the student does not accidentally damage the microscope.

Microscope collage

By Laura Hospitál

Return to Accessible Science main page.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE
EPIQ logo
Event

EPIQ (Experience Programming in Quorum) 2024

Solar eclipse diagram with the moon between the sun and earth.
Activity

Break the Braille code: Solar eclipse resource

Colorful swirled large lollipop
Activity

Lollipop garden activities