In the past 2 years, the Maxillofacial Pathology Laboratory course for dental students at the University of Michigan has been converted from a microscope-based course to an internet-accessible, case-based learning experience that includes a cutting-edge virtual histopathology “laboratory.” Essentially this strategy moved the pathology microscopy course out of the physical laboratory to an online virtual laboratory with an associated pathology workbook. This has saved the students class time, eliminated the need to maintain or replace expensive microscopes, eliminated the space requirement for the laboratory and dramatically improved the quality of slides that students view. The new web-based system has also optimized utilization of faculty. One faculty member now spends 1 hour every other week reviewing the assigned cases and projecting network images of unknown cases in conjunction with high quality virtual “slides.” Bacus laboratories (Lombard, Ill) developed the “virtual microscope” technology that allows tissue sections to be scanned, digitized and visualized at different magnifications on a computer, as one would with a real microscope. Furthermore, we developed a DVD version of the case-based pathology course to provide all students, even those who do not have a rapid internet connection, with off-site access to the pathology course. Conclusions The online virtual laboratory and workbook give students the opportunity to reinforce concepts that they have passively acquired, by challenging them to “examine” the lesion, develop a differential diagnosis, and discuss further evaluation. This teaching approach utilizes the behavioral, cognitive, and sociocultural learning lenses, thereby encouraging the future clinician to be more responsible for his/her learning experience, possibly creating a lifelong learner. The successes and challenges of the virtual laboratory will be discussed.