Training module and assessment strategy for light microscopy skills training in a research environment

Training in specialized techniques and instrumentation is an important component of undergraduate and graduate education. While such training can occur in formal lab courses, it also occurs as students engage in research. Although training in a research lab setting is typically informal, implementing evidence-based practices from the classroom would be beneficial, particularly for learning complex techniques and instruments, for example, light microscopy. Using advanced microscopes for research is more complicated than using teaching microscopes in a course. In addition, microscopes are easy to misuse because they will generally always produce an image even if that image is suboptimal, misleading, or inaccurate. Here, we describe a backward-designed approach to individual or small-group microscope training for undergraduate life sciences research, including a training module and assessments. The approach was designed to be generalizable to a variety of microscopes and applications with performance tasks and survey measures to assess shifts in students' practical skills, knowledge, and attitude toward microscopy. Results are presented supporting the utility and efficacy of the unit and its components.