Development of Dynamic Outdoor Education Program Using Digital Microscope and Wireless LAN

The development and diffusion of ICT has brought about an opportunity to use various technologies and instruments at a cost competitive basis. The use of digital microscopes is one example of such technologies. This paper presents the results of experiments conducted in an outdoor setting. The purpose of the experiments was to let students observe nature using a digital microscope and to enhance their artistic creativity through this activity. The first of the experiments was carried out during a camping trip organized for students aged 9 to 14 years old. We let them take pictures using digital microscopes and saved them on USB memory sticks. Then the data were stored in the Note PC. In the following session, we projected the pictures on the screen for presentation and discussion. It took a lot of time to collect and save the data in the Note PC. The problem was, however, solved in the subsequent experiment by using wireless LAN.