Revolutionize Your Practice: How Microsoft Power Apps & Teams Are Transforming Online Pathology Education!

The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically altered the landscape of education, particularly in specialized fields such as pathology. A recent study, "An integrated virtual pathology education platform developed using Microsoft Power Apps and Microsoft Teams," published in the Journal of Pathology Informatics, highlights how leveraging technology can bridge the gap in educational continuity. For practitioners, this study offers invaluable insights into improving their skills and educational delivery.

Transforming Pathology Education with Technology

The research demonstrates the creation of customized educational applications using a low-code approach with Microsoft Power Apps, integrated into Microsoft Teams. This innovative solution addresses the challenge of managing and organizing extensive educational content and resources.

Key Takeaways for Practitioners

• Customized Learning Platforms: The study highlights how low-code applications can be tailored to meet specific educational needs. Practitioners can develop bespoke platforms that cater to their unique curriculum requirements.
• Seamless Integration: By integrating Power Apps with Teams, educators can create a unified environment for file sharing, meeting scheduling, and messaging, making it easier for students to access all necessary resources.
• Cost-Effective Solutions: Building custom applications using low-code platforms like Power Apps can be significantly more affordable than purchasing third-party solutions, especially for institutions already using Microsoft services.
• Enhanced Security: The study emphasizes the importance of data security, particularly when handling sensitive patient information. Using institution-approved cloud services ensures compliance with privacy regulations.

Applications in Practice

The applications developed in the study broadly fit into two categories: educational and evaluation-related. Educational apps include digital pathology tools that feature whole slide images (WSIs), videos, and quizzes. Evaluation apps facilitate the administration of written and oral exams, providing a structured and efficient assessment process.

Educational Apps

• Digital Pathology App: This app includes histopathology cases with key WSIs, allowing users to engage in self-administered quizzes and learning modes.
• Video Libraries: Integrated video content enhances the learning experience, providing visual aids for complex topics.

Evaluation Apps

• Written Examination Apps: These apps streamline the process of conducting exams, with automated answer submission and evaluation.
• Oral Examination Apps: Scheduling and managing oral exams becomes more efficient, with integrated links to WSIs and video calls.

Why You Should Implement These Solutions

The study underscores the positive impact of these applications on both educators and students. By adopting similar technologies, practitioners can enhance their educational delivery, ensuring continuity and quality even in remote learning scenarios. The ease of use and customization options make these solutions adaptable to various educational needs.

Encouraging Further Research

While the study provides a robust framework, further research and development can optimize these applications. Practitioners are encouraged to explore additional features, such as incorporating 3D models and more interactive content, to enrich the learning experience.To read the original research paper, please follow this link: An integrated virtual pathology education platform developed using Microsoft Power Apps and Microsoft Teams.