98 - Learning Histology: Challenging Topics and Organ Systems

Poster Board Number: 98
There are separate poster presentation times for odd and even posters.
Odd poster #s – first hour
Even poster #s – second hour

Co-authors:

Karen Pinder - Course Director, Department of Cellular & Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia

Abstract Body : There is a large diversity of the types of students that take histology courses and the reasons for taking these courses. As such how we teach histology needs to meet the needs of a wide range of learning styles. In preparation for the launch of the first-ever histology colouring book, we undertook a qualitative survey study to determine which organ systems and which histology topics students struggled with the most. We shared the survey link on social media, on the histology coloring book website and via email to colleagues. We had 86 validated responses from individuals who had previously taken or are taking a histology course. Almost half the participants stated that they enjoyed histology very much and feel that histology is highly relevant to their careers. We next asked participants to indicate from a list, which organs systems and topics they find most difficult to learn and understand. The most difficult organ systems to learn and understand where the immune system, endocrine system, and special senses, while the easiest ones were skin and skeletal systems. The most difficult topics to understand were the differences in connective tissues, nervous tissues and epithelial tissues. Fixation and staining were ranked as easiest to learn and understand. Participants also indicated how they think the teaching and learning of histology can be improved and whether they have used coloring books to learn in the past. The reasons why participants find these organ systems and topics challenging and what they suggest for leaning improvements will be discussed. This study sheds light on the struggles that learners have in histology and the gaps that a histology coloring book could fill. Once the coloring book is launched, this survey will be shared with those that interact and use the book in order to evaluate whether it meets the needs of learners. Funding provided by a AAA Innovations Grant.