An Innovative Approach to Accommodate Different Learning Needs in Medical Histology course

Abstract

BackgroundMedical Histology teaching has changed drastically over the last decade from traditional microscopy to virtual microscopy. In this digital age, the way that students learn has changed as well. Many students prefer independent study and preparation over traditional mandatory lectures and laboratory sessions. However, due to the hands‐on nature of Histology lab, not all the students were able to learn how to recognize tissues by themselves. We sought to develop an approach that would accommodate students’ different learning needs without compromising the practical elements of Histology.DescriptionTulane Histology course has transitioned to team‐based learning (TBL) in the 2018–2019 school year. The preparation materials for TBL were provided online including the Histology lab guide. Students can choose to do the Histology lab independently at home. Option lab sessions associated with TBL preparation materials were offered to the students who preferred learning under faculty supervision. A survey was administered to 191 students from 2018–2019 who experienced the TBL with optional lab approach.ResultsStudent satisfaction was significantly higher after implementing TBL with optional lab approach (p< 0.05; 3.79 > 3.34). Most students reported the new method to be helpful for their Histology learning. With the same number of faculty involved in the Histology lab, the approach led to an increase of a faculty to student ratio. Faculty reported an improved quality of discussion with students and less time spent in the optional lab compared with the traditional laboratory teaching.ConclusionUsing an innovative approach of combining TBL with an optional lab, we manage to accommodate students with different learning needs, maximize students’ learning efficiency, increase the faculty to student ratio during the contact time, improve the interaction between faculty and students, decrease faculty total time spent in the lab and increase faculty satisfaction.