Article # 3
Teaching Histology to Dental Students Using Drawing as a Learning Tool
Abstract
Introduction
Article # 3
Teaching Histology to Dental Students Using Drawing as a Learning Tool
Authors :
Charbel A Basset , Ana Angelova Volponi , Angelo Leone
Keywords :
Art , drawing as teaching tool , teaching Histology , dental students
Institution :
Charbel A Basset and Angelo Leone : Department of Biomedicine , Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics , Institute of Human Anatomy and Histology , University of Palermo , Palermo , Italy .
Ana Angelova Volponi : King ' s College University of London , Faculty of Dentistry , Oral & Craniofacial Sciences , Centre for Dental Education Guy ' s Hospital Tower , London SE1 9RT UK .
Corresponding Author Contact Information :
Angelo Leone Via del Vespro , 127 , 90129 , Palermo PA , Italy . Email : angelo . leone @ unipa . it
DOI : https :// doi . org / 10.21252 / r6gh-zm58
Abstract
Through the centuries , from Claudius Galen , Andreas Vesalius , Leonardo Da Vinci to Gray ’ s Anatomy illustrations of Henry Vandyke Carter , drawing , as a form of art , has been a tool for learning and teaching anatomical sciences .
We have conducted an observational pilot study on using art of drawing as a tool to learn histology , in which 25 dental students participated . Pre- and post- activity surveys were used to assess the views and attitudes of the students toward the approach and future embedding of drawing as an additional , supportive teaching and learning tool for structural sciences studies , such as histology and anatomy .
The analysis of the surveys revealed a high appreciation and interest in the approach with a high 80 % of participants recommending future employment of drawing as a method of learning .
We discuss the relevance of drawing , as a method to learn and teach anatomical sciences , reflecting on findings of previous studies and observations of conducted surveys with recommendations for future development of the approach .
Introduction
Through the centuries , art in sciences proved its importance and relevance as a very useful tool for teaching and learning morphological sciences , such as Anatomy and Histology .
Although broadly used throughout the history as part of medical study of human body and structures , art has not been in the focus of the modern dental and medical curriculum ( Goetz , 1991 ). In aesthetic focused fields like dentistry , dental students perform cosmetic procedures that require a keen eye for observing fine details . Dentists use manual skills , as well as colour and pattern recognition and visual acuity skills to recognize clinical examination findings , establish diagnosis and execute aesthetic clinical dental restorations .
Studies suggest that learning how to analyze fine art may improve not only clinicians ' intellectual curiosity and critical thinking , but also their diagnostic skills and ability to empathize with patients ( Katz & Khoshbin , 2014 ; Schaff , Isken & Tager , 2011 ; Shapiro , Rucker & Beck , 2006 )