Healthc Inform Res.  2022 Apr;28(2):170-175. 10.4258/hir.2022.28.2.170.

Implementing Augmented Reality to Facilitate the Learning of Oral Histology

• Sharmin N
• Chow AK
• Votta D
• Maeda N

• KMID: 2529799
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4258/hir.2022.28.2.170

Abstract

Objectives
The study of biological materials under a microscope is known as histology, which is one of the most challenging subjects for students. Our objective was to develop a learning tool that can reduce the extrinsic load of studying histology and make learning enjoyable and flexible. We used augmented reality (AR) to create a cellphone application called Dental AR. With Dental AR, students can use their cellphones as dynamic flashcards to hide or reveal the annotations of a histology slide. Our application enables students to study, practice, and self-test oral histology knowledge at their own pace.
Methods
We used Unity3D with Vuforia to develop Dental AR. To generate a set of target images, oral histology glass slides were scanned and converted to digital images. Annotated versions of the slides were used as output for the corresponding target images. To understand user experiences and satisfaction with Dental AR, first-year dentistry students were invited to complete an online survey.
Results
Dental AR was successfully developed and released on both the Apple and Google Play online app stores. The survey of dentistry students indicated overall satisfaction with Dental AR and willingness to use similar applications in other subjects.
Conclusions
Dental AR can be used for in-class activities, gamification, and providing students with practice questions to study and self-test outside the classroom. This application can be expanded in the future to incorporate more target images, videos, and interactive components to make learning histology less challenging and more enjoyable.

Keyword

Augmented Reality; Education; Histology; Learning; Self-Assessment

Figure

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  Figure 1 Dental AR in action. Dental AR receives access to the device camera. When the camera is pointed at an image, the application detects the target image and replaces the target with the pre-defined output, the annotated version of the histology slide. The application detects target images equally well from paper printouts (A) and computer screens (C). (B) Dental AR also contains videos explaining tooth and palate development. (D) The output of a tooth development slide from the cellphone screen. (E) The logo of our AR application. (F) The QR code directs you to the app store to download Dental AR. AR: augmented reality.

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  Figure 2 Some representative target images used in Dental AR. The target image set of our application includes photomicrographs of teeth, oral structures, tooth and facial development, salivary glands, oral epithelium, and oral mucosa. AR: augmented reality.

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  Figure 3 Sample target image in the Vuforia database. Images are uploaded in the Vuforia database, where the photomicrographs are tested for their augmentability. The images in the Vuforia database are assigned a score on a scale of 1–5, which indicates how well the image can be detected by Unity3D. The figure shows an oral histology photomicrograph (A), scanning into the Vufroria database for augmentability (B) and the annotated output of the histology slide (C).

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  Figure 4 Students’ acceptance and satisfaction with the Dental AR application. Students were invited by email to participate in an anonymous online survey. The online survey contained questions with quantitative values. Nine students participated in the survey. Each question was scored on a scale from 1 to 5. (A) The mean score was calculated for each question. (B) The percent distribution of students’ agreement is shown for each question in the survey. AR: augmented reality.

Reference

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