E‐Learning Three‐Dimensional Anatomy of the Brainstem: Impact of Different Microscopy Techniques and Spatial Ability

Polarized light imaging (PLI) is a new method which quantifies and visualizes nerve fiber direction. In this study, the educational value of PLI sections of the human brainstem were compared to histological sections stained with Luxol fast blue (LFB) using e‐learning modules. Mental Rotations Test (MRT) was used to assess the spatial ability. Pre‐intervention, post‐intervention, and long‐term (1 week) anatomical tests were provided to assess the baseline knowledge and retention. One‐on‐one electronic interviews after the last test were carried out to understand the students’ perceptions of the intervention. Thirty‐eight medical students, (19 female and 19 males, mean age 21.5 ± SD 2.4; median age: 21.0 years) participated with a mean MRT score of 13.2 ± 5.2 points and a mean pre‐intervention knowledge test score of 49.9 ± 11.8%. A significant improvement in both, post‐intervention and long‐term test scores occurred after learning with either PLI or LFB e‐learning module on brainstem anatomy (both P