Histology Goes Digital: Podcasts and Virtual Slides for Smarter Learning

Representatives from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb – Full Professor Snježana Kužir, DVM, MSc, PhD, Marko Poletto, DVM and Jovana Ivanić, prof., mag. bibl. – participated in TheCUC 2025 conference, held from November 5 to 7, 2025, in Rovinj and organized by CARNET. This year’s theme was “e-Universities 4.0 – New Ideas, New World,” and the Faculty presented a paper titled “Histology Goes Digital: Podcasts and Virtual Slides for Smarter Learning.” The paper introduces an innovative approach to teaching histology by creating educational podcasts combined with digital scans of histological preparations (http://cytomine.vef.hr). The goal is to offer students a more accessible, flexible, and effective learning experience, tailored to generations seeking structured and easily accessible content in one place. The podcasts integrate explanations of basic concepts with images on digital slides, achieving a synthesis of theoretical and practical knowledge that was previously gained exclusively through microscopes, atlases, and textbooks.

A special focus of TheCUC 2025 conference, following the proposal of Klara Bilić, the leader of the action research, was placed on active student participation – from creating scenarios with faculty mentorship to recording and critically reviewing the final content. Jovana Ivanić, prof., mag. bibl., provided essential support in public speaking and presentation skills. Six English studies students participated in the pilot phase: Olivea Lee Hay, Mia Maria Mijatović, Finley Joel Underwood, Jad Chalhoub, Maja Marica Čizmić, and Eric Maximilian Erichorn, who developed scenarios with the help of AI tools. After professional review by Full Professor Snježana Kužir, DVM, MSc, PhD, and subsequent revisions, the content was recorded in the Integrated Recording Studio, established as part of the e-University project. Post-production was handled by Marko Poletto, DVM, from the e-Learning Office of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. The link to the final content will be available in the e-course on the Merlin (Srce) system and will serve future generations. The e-University project plays a key role in the digital transformation of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine by enabling the development of modern educational content and fostering an environment that encourages innovative teaching methods and active student engagement. Introducing multimedia content and new technologies into teaching not only facilitates the understanding of complex concepts but also promotes creativity, critical thinking, and independent learning. These approaches address the needs of today’s students, who seek interactive, accessible, and flexible forms of education. In the long term, using the Integrated Study, materials will be created in Croatian and published as open educational resources, enabling broader application and evaluation of success compared to previous generations.

Participation in conferences such as TheCUC is extremely important for the academic community. These events enable networking with colleagues from other institutions, exchanging experiences and ideas, and creating new collaborations that drive the development of innovative projects. For the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, this strengthens visibility in digital transformation and educational innovation and provides opportunities for students and faculty to actively shape modern educational trends.