I've never used a microscope - don't even own anything that magnifies. Personally I take the "ignorance is bliss" attitude to minute examination of my edges. I have fairly good eyes and can generally see if there's something up by varying the angle of the light along the bevel. And the edge tests and shaving have always, without fail, told me how the edge is.
But having said that, I can see how some magnification could be useful - not only for learning, but also for examining scratch patterns, particularly when comparing hones of unknown grit to those of known grit. In fact, my FIL is going to give me one of his microscopes for the latter purpose. So maybe that means my previous attitude toward magnification is just me being cheap!
Anyway, my take on it is the ends justify the means - do whatever you need to do to get a good shaving edge. Some people magnify, some don't. There's no right or wrong. We all want to blow up the Death Star - some of us need the targeting computer, others use the force! :D
James.