QR-enabled Museum-In Your Pocket

The students of the twenty-first century are avid users of mobile technology. To strike a chord with the present day students and to teach pathology innovatively, we have adopted the QR (quick response) system for giving a quick access and ability to keep a record for later use.

The gross specimens in our museum were taken, and every specimen was QR-enabled. With the help of a free mobile app, student got the description of the specimen almost instantaneously and without the need for internet connectivity. When compared with the previous system of teaching with printout of descriptions of specimens in the form of files or catalogues, this QR system eliminated the time being wasted for searching the specimen number, finding the file and reading the description. QR system gave the information to the students as and when they required it. The utility of QR system was studied in student population with a predesigned questionnaire.

Among, 164 students, 140 had the app and used it regularly at least once a week. The students showed an increased interest during the practical sessions as they have already scanned the codes and read about the descriptions for the specimens kept for discussion. This also helped them to read the full description of the specimens anywhere anytime. The entire process was done free of cost as the software was free.

Students have an additional way of getting the information, and they are appreciating the newer method of getting the specimen descriptions.