ABSTRACT
Objectives To evaluate the experience of students with the transition from traditional optical microscopy (OM) to virtual microscopy (VM), explored by online pathology classes during the COVID-19. Study Design Students who agreed to participate in the survey received a complete questionnaire through the SurveyMonkey platform, which was previously tested in pilot study. This questionnaire evaluated the learning experience after the use of OM and VM. Results The evaluation showed better results for VM in the following items: performance, better learning, increased interest, and better observation of lesion details. However, the students did not consider that VM makes the class more stimulating and attractive than OM. The students also realized the value of OM for academic education in health and dentistry and that it makes the class more interesting. VM was classified as having a better histologic definition (71.4%), being easier to use (97.6%), allowing a better assessment of the structures (85.7%), better resolving doubts (61.9%), and allowing study of the slides in a shorter time (100%). Conclusions The students considered VM the best method to study histopathology.