1. 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

2. 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

3. 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 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

4. 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

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

6. 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

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

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

9. 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, …

10. 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

11. 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!

12. Breakout!