Technology Tools

ACTTT used a variety of technology tools to support its curriculum activities. The list below offers explanations of the kinds of tools used and offers tips to teachers about selecting and using the technologies.

Digital Microscope

Digital MicroscopeThe Proscope Digital Microscope is a USB powered microscope that comes with software that enables the microscope to be used with both Macs and PCs. Ask a first grader and he will tell you the microscope looks like a small blow dryer. When the Proscope is connected to the computer, a digital image is displayed on the computer’s monitor. A magnification level of 50X allows the viewing of incredible detail. Pressing the white button on the underside of the microscope captures an image that is automatically saved to a folder on the computer’s hard drive. A transfer of those images allows children to incorporate them into a variety of projects.

Digital microscopes are not just for science. Although they are valuable tools during investigation and exploration, digital microscopes open new avenues for learning. Using the microscope with a laptop computer expands opportunities into the out-of-doors. Children discovered that snow really does not look like sugar, and some plant seeds look like cartoon space aliens. Investigation of plant material, found objects, skin, and hair all lead to children's desire to examine other materials.

Children created a mystery book combining images of the same object or material taken with the digital microscope and the digital camera. Children added images captured with the digital microscope to cause wonder and raise questions for their classmates. They added photos from a digital camera to answer the questions. To create their mystery books, children imported the digital images into bookmaking software. Each close-up image taken with the digital microscope was followed by the question, "What is it?" Much discussion and guessing followed as others tried to decide what "it" was. On the next page, a digital camera photo of the same object appeared, and the answer was revealed.

Pricing for the Proscope Microscope begins at $275. Prices vary from dealer to dealer. A list of dealers and their prices is available at: http://www.proscopehr.com/dealers.html

A podcast demonstration by first graders explaining how to use connect, use, and disconnect the Proscope can be viewed at http://edcommunity.apple.com/ali/item.php?itemID=11003&prev=true

Although Project ACTTT was funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Office of Special Education Programs, the content of this web site does not necessarily reflect the position of the U.S. Department of Education, and no official endorsement of these materials should be inferred. References to commercial products, trade names, or manufacturers do not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Department of Education.

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