Histology - Basic Tissues

Functionality & Mechanism

This educational self-assessment tool from the University of Michigan functions as a digital study aid for histology. The application provides a series of high-quality micrographs covering six sets of basic human tissues, including epithelia, muscle, and connective tissue. It utilizes an interactive, question-and-answer format to guide users through image analysis. This mechanism facilitates self-testing and supports the user's ability to recognize key histological structures and link distinct facts into a coherent network.

Development & Context

• The app was created by a professor at the University of Michigan to provide students with a self-review resource following a reduction in classroom time for anatomical sciences.
• It originated as a series of PowerPoint files with guided questions before being converted into a mobile application to encourage problem-solving outside of formal labs.
• The news coverage highlights that the broader SecondLook app series has been downloaded more than 49,000 times in 180 countries.
• This educational tool was awarded the University of Michigan's Provost's Teaching Innovation Prize in 2013.

Intended Use & Scope

This application is designed as a supplementary review resource for medical, dental, and other health sciences students studying basic histology. Its primary purpose is to augment traditional learning by helping users identify knowledge gaps in microscopic anatomy prior to examinations. This description is based on news coverage and not on peer-reviewed research.