Teaching anatomy online using retrieval practice, 3D stereoscopic images and virtual human fly‐through videos

Abstract

An online Human Anatomy and Physiology course used Quizlets (practice quizzes) as a form of retrieval practice pedagogy along with a lab based on reusable learning objects such as 3D anaglyph images made from stereo image pairs in the Bassett Collection at Stanford University School of Medicine Medical History Center and Wright State University School of Medicine Quicktime VR Anatomical Resource. Fly‐through videos were made from the NIH National Library of Medicine Virtual Human series. Red‐blue glasses will be provided to view 3D images.Higher course grades were observed in lecture and lab than in past courses when no Quizlets were used. Total Quizlet scores in lecture showed a moderate to high correlation using R‐squared analysis with the total exam score. Total Quizlet time (study time) was also linked to the grade received in the lecture course. The average lab exam scores for students using 3D images was 97.1% compared to 92.5% for students choosing to study non‐3D lab images available for students who cannot see in 3D. Although the 3D average lab exam score was slightly higher, it was not statistically significant. Student response, however, to using 3D images was strongly positive.