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Primary Newsletter 28 Digital Microscopes |
| How do they compare? Comparative tests were carried out with the same specimens being examined in turn on the Intel QX-3 and the Motic DigiScope. The latter model exhibited superior image quality at the same magnification and superior resolution at both maximum and minimum magnification. A sequence of images, (Figures 6 to 9), should demonstrate these points. All of these ‘photo-micrographs’ were taken at a nominal sixty times magnification. The stem specimens give an indication of the performance with thin sections and the bee mouthparts provide more ‘solid’ objects.
Figure 6 Bamboo stem, cross section, Intel QX3 Figure 7 Bamboo stem, cross section Motic Digiscope
Figure 8 Bee’s head and mouthparts Intel QX3 Figure 9 Bee’s head and mouthparts Motic Digiscope The microscopes appear to be similar but there are marked differences. The Motic DigiScope 300 is designed to be used as both a digital and stand-alone microscope. This makes it ideal for science and biology investigations. It has the added advantages of measuring facilities and the digital camera. These help to cover the ICT strands in addition to science. Pupils from P4 to S2 will find this a simple microscope to use and should have no trouble with the software. Although we have reservations about its top lighting, the Motic Digiscope 300 appears to cover the requirements for use at primary school level and for S1-S2. For those classes it has our recommendation. The Intel QX-3 is more an on-screen magnifier than it is a microscope in the usual sense. It does, however, offer a lot for the money (especially if you got one free!). It is more likely to be of use in science lessons for pupils P4 to S2 where the main focus is the application of ICT in science. Primary teachers have told us that pupils do enjoy the game-style software, which comes complete with sound. Of course they also like the futuristic shape of the thing itself. (It’s a shame that fun and enjoyment don’t feature more heavily in the National Arrangements documents). The reservations we have on lighting and focussing make us sceptical of the benefits of the QX-3 for anything but simple science investigations. Should the teacher have experience in microscopy then there are techniques that could be used to enhance the performance of the instrument. In the normal run of things, we probably wouldn’t have recommended the QX-3 as a microscope for use in primary science. Despite that, feedback from primary teachers - on its ease of use added to currently competitive pricing - suggests that it’s won a place in many primary schools. |
