• create an interactive laboratory experience while removing impediments to learning such as malfunctioning microscopes, aging slide sets, and inconsistent tissue sections. 

• produce high resolution digital replicas of optimal tissue sections. 
• compile online image repositories. 
• deploy intuitive, computer-based "viewers" that improve upon microscopes. 

• web-based laboratory syllabi link directly to virtual slides and, in some cases, directly to annotated structures of interest buried deep in tissue sections. 
• computer-based viewers provide effortless scan + zoom functions to the submicron level, permit side-by-side comparison of multiple tissue sections, link student generated annotations directly to regions of interest (or query), and provide 24/7 access to teaching materials. 
• online tests incorporating virtual slides focus students' attention on the content of questions rather than the operation of the microscope. 

• evaluations performed at the University of Michigan, University of Nevada (Reno), and the University of California (San Francisco) medical schools indicate that virtual microscopy creates an engaging, highly scalable, and effective laboratory experience.
• any scientific discipline that utilizes the light microscope can benefit from virtual microscopy. 

• The project crossed departmental lines requiring integration of the slide scanning laboratory (Department of Pathology), the server infrastructure (Medical School Information Systems and Pathology Informatics), user support and training (Medical School Learning Resource Center, Cell and Developmental Biology and Pathology), and content developers (Cell and Developmental Biology and Pathology). The Virtual Microscope project achieved its aims through the collaborative efforts of many talented individuals from across the Medical School. 

• http://histology.medicine.umich.edu/
• http://www.med.umich.edu/digitallab/histopathology
• http://www.med.umich.edu/digitallab/M2schedule.html

Comments

• Scalability: The Virtual Microscopy Lab retains its versatility regardless of the student number. In our case, we used the Virtual Microscopy lab in our freshman histology course of 62 students. Our labs are designed to be self-directed and interactive among students and between students and faculty. And we have also used the virtual slides in small groups and individual reviews.
• Portability: We have used the Virtual Microscopy slides in lecture halls, small group rooms, various individual on-campus sites, as well as off-campus sites. It can be used anywhere there is internet access.
• Versatility: Virtual Microscopy slides are capable of being easily incorporated into other disciplines. We are planning to use the virtual slides to preview pathology labs in the second year. The Systems Physiology course is planning to use portions of the Virtual Slides to introduce renal and respiratory sections of the curriculum. As the Virtual Microscopy Lab continues to evolve, new and innovative uses will be found.