Histology is the study of microscopic anatomy of tissues of plants and animals. To study histology, different sections are prepared and stained to examine tissues using a light microscope. Different types of stains are used during the preparation of histological slides in order to identify microscopic structures. The ability to visualize and identify these structures can be challenging and requires practice at any educational level. The laboratory component of the human anatomy and physiology course (LUSL 2105) taught in the first year of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) degree program at St Lawrence College (in collaboration with Laurentian University) contains a significant histology component with over 60 slides of different tissues to study and learn. Throughout the years we attempted to explore and apply different teaching resources and pedagogical tools to overcome some of students’ learning challenges and to improve students’ skills and abilities to learn histology.
We performed a retrospective study to compare the effectiveness of three different tools used in the histology laboratory over the past few years. The first was the traditional tool where the instructor provided an oral explanation prior to students’ use of the light microscope. This was fortified by diagrams provided within the students’ laboratory manual. The second tool consisted of the display of electronic diagrams of standard tissue slides using power point presentations prior to students viewing the actual slides using the light microscope. The third tool involved the use of a microscope fortified with a built-in camera projecting a real-time image on a big screen prior to students viewing same slides using the light microscope. The effectiveness of these tools was evaluated on the basis of students’ grades of a structured quiz composed of 10 slides.
This session will include a discussion of the study and its results. Implications for how to teach histology effectively will also be explored.