Give histology some TLC: Team Laboratory Chiefs (721.15)
Joy S. Reidenberg, Phyllis Ann Shaw · The FASEB Journal · 2014
The Histology Team Laboratory Chief (TLC) concept was developed to foster team‐based learning, institute peer‐teaching and peer‐grading, and facilitate using the “Virtual Histology” digital microscope slide program (developed by co‐author P.A.S.). Each student led six labs to a six‐member team as one of a pair of TLCs. Presentation format was flexible, allowing creativity and incorporation of additional resources. After two “ramp up” sessions in which students worked independently to learn “Virtual Histology,” TLC partners presented assigned slides, focusing on important distinguishing structural features and functions of cells/tissues/organs. TLCs were required to teach the relevant content of the laboratory, ask four questions to facilitate discussion, and answer questions to clarify issues and assure appropriate understanding of structure and function. Faculty rotated among teams, answering questions and correcting any errors. In 2013, anonymous on‐line scoring was introduced to prevent peer‐pressure grade inflation. The average TLC score was 97.2%, indicating high satisfaction with presentations. Students agreed or strongly agreed that the TLC program increased understanding of course material (70%), and that teaching peers increased their teaching skills (67%). The TLC program contributed to a dramatic 47% increase from 2009 in satisfaction that lab sessions improved comprehension.