| With the advent of digital systems, the role of the microscope as an irreplaceable instrument in the practical teaching of histology has been called into question. In this study academic performance and student perception for three learning methods was compared: digital systems, microscopy, and microscopy plus digital systems, in the muscle tissue unit of the morphology course for first-year dentistry at the Universidad de los Andes, Santiago, Chile. Ninety-five students were divided into 3 groups: Group 1: individual optical microscopy, Group 2: digital systems (one projector per room), and Group 3: microscopy plus digital systems. All participants observed the same striate muscle, cardiac striated muscle, and smooth muscle mounts. Their diagnostic... |
