Design & Development of a Microscopy E-Learning Platform: Project mikropi

Learning to use a microscope is part of the basic training for medical students. Providing adequate courses and materials is challenging for lecturers since 1) microscopy courses often require expensive and specialized equipment, which can be limited in availability. Universities may struggle to provide enough microscopes, slide sets, and lab space to accommodate all students; 2) coordinating lab sessions can be challenging due to limited lab hours and the need for small group instruction; 3) there may be a shortage of trained teaching assistants available to provide the necessary guidance; and 4) microscopes and related equipment require regular maintenance and calibration, adding to the administrative burden.

Getting to know the context. The mikropi project team at the Institute for Clinical Pathology at the University of Freiburg.

mikropi is an innovative online microscopy portal for education and medical cooperation that aims to address these challenges. We developed the platform as part of a student project at Hochschule Furtwangen University in collaboration with the Institute for Clinical Pathology at the University of Freiburg (Dr. Gian Kayser, Dr. Maximilian Seidl). The system complements the curriculum of medical students with interactive elements.

mikropi uses the content management system WordPress. It enables effective auditing regulations and lecture follow-up, and supports teachers in the scientific supervision of students. Within the two-semester project seminar (2014–2015) at the Hochschule Furtwangen, a team of five students (Sebastian Brötzler, Andre Eberle, Lukas Flohr, Jascha Krause, Michael Röther) supervised by Prof. Dr. Ulrich Dittler designed, developed, and implemented the tool in collaboration with the Institute for Clinical Pathology at the University of Freiburg. After the uni project, we further developed and optimized the portal as working students at Furtwangen University.

mikropi was awarded the silver Intermedia-Globe Award by the World Media Festival 2015 selection committee.