Histology Personal Trainer: Identifying Tissue Types Using Critical Thinking and Metacognition Prompts

Abstract

Tissue-type histology is a foundational lab exercise for many courses… and our students hate it. In anatomy and physiology, where more obviously applicable labs are just around the corner, students struggle to grasp this basic content. At this institution, a Hispanic-serving, two-year community college, scores are historically lowest on the histology exam and many students drop the course after this exam. Attrition is a problem nationally as well; while community colleges train about 60% of healthcare workers, attrition rates in anatomy and physiology courses are nearly 50%. Upon closer investigation of this exam, we found students were attempting to memorize the provided field of view, rather than identifying tissue hallmarks, and therefore struggled to apply their skills during the exam.