Ann Arbor
MI, 48109-5697 United States
Available to mentor
Dr. Michael Hortsch is a native of Germany and Professor in the Departments of Cell and Developmental Biology and of Learning Health Sciences. He holds a Diploma degree in Biochemistry from the Free University of Berlin and a Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Heidelberg. These degrees were awarded for research performed at the Weizmann Institute in Israel and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory in Germany, respectively. After postdoctoral studies in the field of developmental neurobiology at the University of California in Berkeley, he joined UM in 1991 where he performed research on the biological role of neural cell adhesion molecules. In 2010 he concentrated his professional efforts on medical education, specifically the teaching of histology to medical, dental, and undergraduate/graduate students. His research now focusses on the use of novel educational strategies and electronic resources for the teaching of the basic sciences. He is a Fellow of the American Association for Anatomy and the recipient of the association’s 2023 Henry Gray Distinguished Educator Award.
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PhDRuprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, 1987
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DiplomaFree University of Berlin, Berlin, 1983
Research Focus: Medical education, histology, e-learning, educational technology, virtual microscopy.
Modern technologies play an increasingly important role in teaching the biomedical sciences to today’s generation of students. For many years our department has been at the forefront of adopting and developing novel and exciting teaching resources. However, are these new technologies really effective in educating tomorrow’s scientists and health care professionals? How can we use these new teaching modalities to help our students learn better and gain a deeper understanding of the expanding volume of scientific knowledge? My current research program is investigating how modern electronic teaching resources are used by students and what impact they have on students’ learning success. In addition, I am developing effective new electronic teaching resources. My most popular learning tool is a series of mobile applications called SecondLook™ (http://secondlook.med.umich.edu). It represents a self-review instrument that allows students to use their study time more effectively as it directs their learning efforts towards gaps in their knowledge and skill sets.
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McTaggart S, Hortsch M. Anat Sci Educ, 2024 Sep; 17 (6): 1265 - 1274.Journal ArticleEarly practice makes histology masters: The use of a formative assessment quiz to prepare histology learners for a high-stakes final examination.
DOI:10.1002/ase.2472 PMID: 38867403 -
Hortsch M. Anat Sci Educ, 2024 Sep; 17 (6): 1174 - 1182.Journal ArticleTransforming histology students from passive lecture listeners into active lecture learners.
DOI:10.1002/ase.2463 PMID: 38816963 -
Hortsch M. Perspectives in Physiology, 2024 Life Science Careers, 185 - 196.ChapterA Compass to Academic Success: Charting an Educational Career Path at a Large Research University
DOI:10.1007/978-3-031-50694-9_19 -
Joaquim DC, de Melo Leite ACR, de Castro Viana L, Mendes DLM, Furtado IPB, de Hollanda Celestino JJ, Hortsch M, Girão-Carmona VCC. Medical Science Educator, 2024 Jan 1;Journal ArticleThe Impact of Students’ Socio-economic Background, Study Habits, and Technology Access on Their Histology Learning Strategy During the COVID-19 Pandemic
DOI:10.1007/s40670-024-02154-1 -
Organ JM, Smith HF, Trainor PA, Allen K, Balta JY, Beresheim AC, Brewer-Deluce D, Brown KM, Burrows AM, Byers KT, Byram JN, Cale AS, Carroll MA, Champney T, Cornwall J, Dayal MR, DeLeon VB, Dunnwald M, Ferrigno C, Finn GM, Fox GM, Geller PL, Guttmann GD, Harper N, Harrell KM, Hartstone-Rose A, Hildebrandt S, Hortsch M, Jackson J, Johnson LE, Lohman Bonfiglio CM, McCumber TL, Menegaz RA, Mussell JC, O'Loughlin VD, Otobo TM, Oyedele O, Pascoe MA, Person D, Reidenberg JS, Robinson RE, Rogers KA, Ros MA, Ross CF, Sanders KA, Schmitt B, Schoenwolf GC, Smith TC, Smith TD, Sumner DR, Taylor AB, Taylor MJ, Teaford MF, Topp KS, Willmore KE, Wisco JJ, Yang J, Zumwalt AC. Anat Sci Educ, 2023 16 (4): 571 - 573.Journal ArticlePersonal autonomy and self-determination are crucial for professionalism in healthcare.
DOI:10.1002/ase.2278 PMID: 37014284 -
Hortsch M. Anat Sci Educ, 2023 16 (3): 372 - 383.Journal ArticleHistology as a paradigm for a science-based learning experience: Visits by histology education spirits of past, present, and future.
DOI:10.1002/ase.2235 PMID: 36453080 -
Hortsch M. Anat Sci Educ, 2023 16 (3): 363 - 371.Journal ArticleThe Michigan Histology website as an example of a free anatomical resource serving learners and educators worldwide.
DOI:10.1002/ase.2239 PMID: 36453096 -
Hortsch M, Rompolski K. Anat Sci Educ, 2023 Mar; 16 (2): 189 - 195.Journal ArticleThe freedom to teach (at the best).
DOI:10.1002/ase.2240 PMID: 36453097
