Virtual Dissection: An Interactive Anatomy Learning Tool. Issue 6 (11th December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wainman, Bruce; Aggarwal, Akanksha; Birk, Sapriya K.; Gill, Jaskaran S.; Hass, Katrina S.; Fenesi, Barbara
• Is Part Of: Anatomical sciences education. Volume 14:Issue 6(2021)
• Page Start: 788
• Page End: 798
• Publication Date: 2020-12-11
• Subjects: gross anatomy education -- medical education -- health professions education -- virtual reality -- female pelvis -- visuospatial ability -- dissector model -- familiarization -- fabric model; Human anatomy -- Periodicals; 611.005
• DOI: 10.1002/ase.2035
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1935-9772

Abstract

Abstract : The novelty of three‐dimensional visualization technology (3DVT), such as virtual reality (VR), has captured the interest of many educational institutions. This study's objectives were to (1) assess how VR and physical models impact anatomy learning, (2) determine the effect of visuospatial ability on anatomy learning from VR and physical models, and (3) evaluate the impact of a VR familiarization phase on learning. This within‐subjects, crossover study recruited 78 undergraduate students who studied anatomical structures at both physical and VR models and were tested on their knowledge immediately and 48 hours after learning. There were no significant differences in test scores between the two modalities on both testing days. After grouping participants on visuospatial ability, low visuospatial ability learners performed significantly worse on anatomy knowledge tests compared to their high visuospatial ability counterparts when learning from VR immediately ( P = 0.001, d = 1.515) and over the long‐term ( P = 0.003, d = 1.279). In contrast, both low and high visuospatial ability groups performed similarly well when learning from the physical model and tested immediately after learning ( P = 0.067) and over the long‐term ( P = 0.107). These results differ from current literature which indicates that learners with low visuospatial ability are aided by 3DVT. Familiarizing participants with VR before the learning phase had no impact on learning ( P = 0.967). This study demonstrated that VR may be detrimental to low visuospatial ability students, whereas physical models may allow all students, regardless of their visuospatial abilities, to learn similarly well.