Digital Tools for the Histology Laboratory Tools for Integrative Group Learning Sheryl Scott, PhD Kathryn Moore, PhD Rick Ash, PhD Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy University of Utah School of Medicine

Plan for this morning Decision to revise a traditional lab course Our goals for the new course Tools Lab Guides Group Assignments Microscope and PaperIDs Histo! App Assessment Outcomes Breakout: explore the tools Reconvene

The traditional course and why revise it? Before 2009 Students met in lab and used microscopes, glass slides, a syllabus, and faculty to learn identifications Exams were given on microscopes 2009 and beyond New, integrated curriculum for years 1 & 2 launched Commitment to increase class size from 80 to 120+ in a few years We wouldn’t be able to carry on as before We wanted to use the lab time for more than microanatomy identifications

Our goals: use the lab time to… Help students learn structures along with functions Integrate histology, gross anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, and pathology Promote self-directed learning by providing detailed lab guides ahead of sessions Promote peer teaching by organizing the class into groups to answer assignments Provide robust self-assessment tools Create a flexible approach that could be used throughout the first 2 years and in the School of Dentistry

Tools: Lab Guide Objectives Explanatory text Labeled micrographs Links to digital slides

Tools: Group Assignment Questions employ micrographs, diagrams, digital slides Each session also includes questions on glass biopsy slides Questions address structure, function, and many disciplines Groups of 6 or 7 students work together, one answer sheet per group The assignments are worth only a small fraction of the total grade; even so, grading gives them legitimacy

Tools: Microscope and Paper IDs To get access to the Lab Assignment, groups must identify items on scopes and diagrams.

Tools: Histo! App Used before lab, along with Lab Guides, used after for self-assessment

Assessments Exams given on iPads via ExamSoft Include both structural and functional questions Name a function of the multicellular structure indicated. Regulate glomerular filtration rate, monitor [NaCl] in filtrate, signal to afferent arteriole, …

Outcomes We did not develop quantitative tools to assess the effects of these changes on student performance Exam scores have remained high, essentially the same as before 2009, though a wider range of material is being tested This approach is being used in five 1st and 2nd year medical courses and one 1st year dental course Student satisfaction is high

First and second year student comments The cases presented in lab helped me solidify my other course material. For example, while learning about metabolism, it was helpful to see the histological differences between the pits in the stomach, small intestine, and colon. The lab PDFs were another gem for studying, as they concisely and clearly summed up key points and learning objectives. … the virtual slides allowed for a more efficient and effective use of lab time. It was helpful that everyone could look at a slide at the same time while discussing the lab questions. I also appreciated that I could review and study the virtual slides at home.   Histo! is the single best study resource for learning histology that I have ever seen-I can't imagine medical school without it! I loved being able to use a single resource to learn the required material in a fun way and Histo! did that for me. Thank you so much!

Breakout!