Virtual Microscopy in Haematology and Histopathology Education: Virtual Microscopy in Science Education

Introduction

Due to the rapid transformation in university curricula, it’s has been a colossal challenge to engage students solely by conventional face-to-face teaching. Integration of traditional teaching methods with digital, online or virtual modes of learning has emerged over last decade as one of the mainstream teaching tools in multiple disciplines especially teaching haematology and histopathology subjects. Digital microscopy tools combined with other didactic methods in teaching shown to have a significant role in improving student interaction and curiosity in teaching (Diaz-Perez et al., 2014).

This chapter will discuss the incorporation and use of virtual microscopy as a simulation based educational tool that could be optimised for enhanced student learning in haematology and histopathology teaching. The innovative ways of merging this technology with other technological mediums at Australian Universities will be the focus of this chapter allowing students are learning both off campus and on campus to complement their classroom directed morphology learning with self-directed learning.