Enhancing the Microscopy Skills of Non-Science Majors and Nursing Microbiology Students: Promoting the Practice of Observing Multiple Fields of View Using Blood Smear Slides

Abstract

One of the challenges in teaching microscopy is having students scan multiple fields of view at high power magnification. Many times, students will feel this unnecessary, especially when presented with slides that show only one structure or a monoculture of cells. This communication presents a simple microscopy activity to engage students in the importance of examining several fields of view when using the microscope. Students are challenged with determining whether an “unknown” blood smear slide is indicative of normal blood or a blood disorder. The disorders the activity examines include sickle cell anemia, leukemia, thrombocytosis and a bloodstream infection. All slides can be purchased from science education supply companies. Students must properly focus on commercially available blood slides and examine several fields of view in order to reach the most reasonable diagnosis. This lesson has been used to engage both non-science majors taking a laboratory-based science class as well as nursing/allied health microbiology students and simulates real-life scenarios in