AT&T Fellows Final Report: William Babler

AT&T Fellows Final Reports

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Name	William Babler
Title	Professor
Department	School of Dentistry
Campus	IUPUI
Project Title	Virtual Histology with the Aid of Virtual Microscopy
Project Goal	The goal of the project was to improve student learning of histology through an interactive web-based teaching tool that used a virtual microscopy as its core technology.
Type of Technology Used in the Project	A web-based teaching tool using a virtual microscopy.

Executive Summary of Results

Histology is the branch of science that studies the microscopic structures of tissues. This project focused on the development of virtual histology using a virtual microscope to provide a web-based, readily accessible resource for learning histology. This resource provides the student with a resource for learning histology as learning issues in the care of patients are identified. It was initially developed for the histology of hematology, with expansion to include other tissues such as muscle, vascular tissues, etc. It can improve student learning and provide a resource for modification in other areas of instruction.

Need for the Project

Indiana School of Dentistry uses a problem-based learning (PBL) instructional format that emphasizes student-centered, independent learning. This is supported through two biological systems-approach courses as well as two additional integrated orofacial biology courses. What is unique to PBL and these courses is that traditional discipline based course material is interwoven into clinical situational learning experiences. Such learning requires resources for students to learn material, including histological material, on an as needed basis. Since we do not teach a traditional histology laboratory experience, we considered a virtual microscope as an exciting bridge between the learning students in gross anatomy and molecular cell biology.

Use of Technology

A virtual microscope, using Macromedia Director (Macromedia, Inc.), was developed to assist in instruction in our Hematology module within our Systems Approach to Biological Sciences II (SABS II) course which is taught in the second year of dental school. Adobe Illustrator was used to develop the navigational buttons, and general appearance of the instrument. Photoshop was used for image customization. Director was used to author the virtual microscope. Our overall, goal includes linking the virtual microscopic images to cadaveric material, facilitating the bridging between gross anatomy and cell biology.

Instructional Design Plan

The use of the virtual microscope was intended to provide students a tool to learn histology as learning issues (identified either in their PBL cases or in our systems-based courses) were raised. We felt that this would first of all reduce the anxiety of students that they were not receiving sufficient didactic histology instruction. Secondly, the instrument provided students immediate feedback on their learning. Thirdly, it is designed to promote in-time, student-centered, active learning. Active learning is the primary focus of our first two years of dental school instruction. In addition, this allowed us to modify existing laboratory experiences to be more problem oriented. For example, in oral histology, laboratory time is used for students to be able to write and interpret descriptions of histological material, facilitating their use of pathology reports. We worked with individuals in the IT department of the School of Dentistry to develop this resource. They were both familiar with our educational methodology and readily accessible.

Potential to Impact Student Learning

The major improvements in student learning are actually both perceptual and substantive. By perceptual, I mean that students have more access to student-directed learning resources. Students are using more and more web-based materials to support their learning. The virtual microscopy developed in this project adds to this environment. The substantive component is that students both report more “comfort” with the subject. We have not had time to collect sufficient data to feel show clear improved learning. Our goal is to expand the access to the tool to all students in the school.

Assessment Plan

Our long-term assessment instruments are National Board Examination performance. We have not had sufficient time to use collect sufficient data from this source. In addition, we have also used both course performance and student evaluation comments. Course performance is a difficult measure since we have changed course/module directors and there is potential interaction of this change with scores. Generally, module scores are similar. Second, student feedback suggests less concern that they are not receiving sufficient instruction in histology.

Plan for Colleague Development

This is an area which we did not accomplish all that we had hoped. The original principal investigator left prior to his timeline for developing a cadre of faculty within the school of dentistry to continue in implementing this instructional technology. However, he as able to mentor one faculty member to continue the developmental effort. In addition, the new Hematology module director for SABS II has reviewed and is planning to integrate the virtual microscope into his module. Other SABS I and II module directors are also being introduced to the approach. Finally, this project was presented at the IU SBC Fellows Forum in 2005 and several collagues from around the state requested information for application.

Final Comments on Project Results

I feel that the goals of the project were generally met, although not to the extent hoped for. This is due in large part due to the departure of the original principal investigator, Dr. Eric Everett, who assumed a new position out-of-state. He had done all the initial work and had developed an implementation plan which had to be significantly modified due to his departure and assumption of the project by a new principal investigator, Dr. William Babler. There was a reduction in time for completion of the project and its final product. With that said, it was possible to evaluate the utility of this approach. And that suggests greater potential for the future.

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