GiantScope: A simulation microscopy for middle school biological experiment education

Abstract

We present a simulation microscope device called GiantScope, which combines virtual microscope, cloud computing, and embedded technologies. Users can complete most of the microscope-based experiments in biology courses by operating our device, while learning the operating skills of microscopes at the same time. Our device supports most of the operation functions of optical microscopes, including quasifocus screw adjustment, slide movement recognition and so on, and also has auxiliary enhancement functions including manual measurement, annotation and so on. In addition, we have built a cloud-based digital slide database, which enables users to select experimental observations through digital slides, including static cell specimens or dynamic cell activities. After user study, we found that using GiantScope for biological experiments has better learning efficiency and user experience than traditional microscopes.

Visualizing the Unseen: 3D Cell Microscopy Through Virtual Reality

“…Therefore, visual and auditory content is created, and through the Oculus viewer and controllers, interaction with the VR environment and other resources is carried out; that is, the system gives the student the ability to move, rotate, and interact with virtual elements [7], allowing immersion over the senses: visual, auditory, and tactile in a realistic way, thanks to the physics, collisions, sound components, and content integrated into the VR environment. Interaction with virtual objects is complicated for most users, especially when they need to learn about the application [17]. For this reason, a help system is established that allows users to identify and recognize the objects.…”