Use of a Digital 3D Brain Model as an Intermediate Step in Learning Spatial Anatomy

In clinical anatomy, emphasis is placed on the spatial relationships between structures. Spatial ability (SA) of students however, is often overlooked. Traditional anatomical education uses 2D images with a focus on dissection, underestimating cognitive leaps between textbook, lecture, and dissection. With reduced anatomical teaching time worldwide, and varying student SAs, a conundrum may emerge. The goal of this project is to develop a 3D brain tutor as an intermediate learning step. Accounting for students' initial SA through a mental rotation test, the aim is to determine the implications on learning discrete brain structures with the tutor. Through a randomized control design, the experimental group used the tutor prior to lab sessions while the control group used traditional resources. Post‐lab knowledge scores were compared between experimental and control groups. It is hypothesized that students who used the tutor between lecture and laboratory will develop stronger practical knowledge, increasing post‐test scores. A correlation is expected between SA and post‐test scores. The results of this project look to influence current practices in neuroanatomy education. Grant Funding Source : Departmental