Histology is a fundamental science concerned with the microscopic study of organisms at the molecular, cellular, and tissue levels, extending to the organ level. The study of tissues requires not only the acquisition of theoretical knowledge but also the development of various skills, ranging from the visual recognition of cells and tissues to the ability to interpret images to reconstruct spatial organization. The curricula of various biomedical degree programs include histology in their early courses. Most students lack prior knowledge in this area, making it difficult for them to combine theory with practice and accurately interpret histological images.

One strategy to enhance performance and reduce knowledge loss is retrieval practice. Flashcards are a learning technique that consists of condensing key concepts and content into a limited space for quick review. Various software programs allow students to create digital flashcards, enabling spaced, repetitive, and self-regulated learning. This study presents a teaching experience using Anki with dentistry and medicine students to enhance their understanding of tissues and the microscopic structure of organs.

In the first phase, dentistry students created a deck of 208 flashcards for learning human tissues. Each card posed a question and displayed a histological image that students had to search for and select from an open access academic source. When reviewing the deck, students had to rank each card according to its level of difficulty, allowing them to control the frequency of card appearance. Students also created an Anki tutorial. In the second phase, second year medical students from two groups were asked to complete a compulsory and graded task using Anki to review histology practices. Anki tutorial, rules and grading criteria were provided. Medical students delivered 84 tasks with 248 flashcards covering 48 organs. Flashcards were compiled into new decks and shared with medical students which were encouraged to use Anki for review and practical exam preparation. Assessment results showed high performance, with average grades of 8.4 and 8.2 out of 10 across both groups. Common errors included incorrect tagging and links, imagen quality issues, and the use of non-open or non-academic sources.

Two surveys were conducted to analyze student satisfaction. Dentistry students found Anki effective, easy to use and an excellent tool for learning histology. Of the surveyed medical students, 82% reported not using flashcards when studying although 68% said that they were previously familiar with Anki. Despite this, 79% found Anki to be an effective tool for reinforcing concepts, while 50% felt it allowed them to manage their own learning. Nevertheless, only 25% of respondents said they have used flashcard decks intensively to prepare for the practical exam.

Keywords: Medical education, Histology education, Learning techniques, Anki, Spaced repetition, Active recall, Flashcard.