An experimental teaching-learning program in histology

This article presents an experimental teaching and learning program used in a histology course with first-year students in the first term of their studies in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Huanghuai University, China. Eighty students were divided randomly into two sections (n=40/section). Students in one section were taught using a hybrid case-based and lecture style (experimental section) and the second section was taught using a traditional teaching style (control section). To assess achievement, examinations were administered at the end of every textbook chapter and a final examination was carried out at the end of the course. To determine students' attitude to the teaching styles used, a questionnaire survey was conducted at the end of the term. Results showed that students preferred the experimental style. In the experimental section, students' scores were significantly higher than those of students in the control section both in the chapter and the final examinations (p<.05). Results indicate that the case-based and lecture style is superior to the traditional style of teaching and learning histology.