An Interactive and Adaptive Online Electron Microscopy Education Platform

Abstract

Electron microscopy skills are valuable in today's workforce, with increased demand anticipated in the near future. However, such skills are difficult to acquire due to the need to train on expensive equipment under instructor supervision. Existing online education approaches are limited by class size [1] or fail to support a full range of microscope operations [2]. Portland State University has developed web-based electron microscopy education software: the Online Electron Microscopy Platform (OEMP).

An Interactive Online Electron Microscopy Platform Integrating Classroom Lectures and Lab Practice

“…The OEMP is different from existing online microscopy education in four areas [17,18]: 1) the OEMP incorporates lectures and a materials database with laboratory practice through instrument operation simulations; 2) the database allows researchers and industrial professionals to deposit new findings; 3) contents can be iteratively designed, piloted, and evaluated to augment EM simulators, associated new companion curricula, and ongoing classes to validate our approach; and 4) the OEMP is designed and operated as a comprehensive education platform based on online benchmarks provided by the Institute for Higher Education Policy [19]. In short, there is no virtual electron microscopy software, platform, or system that pursues simulation-based materials characterization education like the OEMP.…”