Workshop 24th Australian Conference on Microscopy and Microanalysis 2016

Online Education and Training for Microscopy and Microanalysis: MyScopeTM (#119)

Bronwen Cribb 1 , Joe Shapter 2 , Miles Apperley 3
  1. The Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
  2. School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  3. Australian Microscopy and Microanalysis Research Facility, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia

MyScope is an online educational site that provides modules used to train in the areas of scanning and transmission electron microscopy, scanning probe and atomic force microscopy, confocal microscopy, X-ray diffraction and microanalysis (http://www.ammrf.org.au/myscope/). The MyScope site is popular across the globe, and Google Analytics tracks about 15,000 sessions per month. Growing demand for advanced research techniques, limited staff time, and demand for specialist machine access create pressures in core microscopy and microanalysis facilities. The modular tools accelerate learning so that new users coming into laboratories can be better prepared. Once familiar with technical language and theory specific to the desired research technique as well as experience on a virtual machine, users are able to undertake practical instruction in the laboratory in a shorter than usual time. Improvement in core knowledge has also been quantified. There are a variety of ways that MyScope is used in training and education. Modules can be tailored to requirements, for those with a specific learning aim in mind, and a drag and drop function allows educators to create a personalized, new site, restructured and edited specifically for class needs. This function is gaining more popularity but many users are still unaware of its flexibility. This lunchtime workshop/ information session will update attendees on MyScope in its present form. We will demonstrate how educators are currently using the features available and address the gains that core facilities and educators find from its use. The session will provide information on current oversite and plans for the platform in 2016.