RESUMEN
Learning 2D sectional anatomy facilitates the comprehension of 3D anatomical structures, anatomical relationships, and radiological anatomy. However, the efficacy of technology-enhanced collaborative instructional activities in sectional anatomy remains unclear, especially if theoretical frameworks, namely the Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning (CTML), are applied in instructional design. Thus, this study compared the educational impact of distinct 45-min-long technology-enhanced collaborative learning tasks in sectional anatomy. A sample of 115 first-year medical students was randomly divided into three experimental groups that used different supporting technologies to learn the sectional anatomy of the chest: IMAIOS e-learning platform and Microsoft Surface Hub (n = 37); anatomage table (n = 38); anatomage table with CTML-based presets (n = 40). Prelearning and postlearning tests revealed that significant knowledge gains in sectional anatomy were obtained by all groups even though no inter-group differences were found. Moreover, a five-point Likert scale questionnaire showed that the learning session was highly valued by all participants and that users of the anatomage with CTML-based presets reported higher enjoyment than users of the IMAIOS system (mean difference = 0.400; p = 0.037). In addition, students using the IMAIOS system and the anatomage with CTML-based presets provided System Usability Scale (SUS) scores of 67.64 and 67.69, respectively, reaching the benchmark of usability. By contrast, students using the anatomage table without presets awarded a SUS score of 64.14. These results suggest that the integration of multimedia technologies in anatomy teaching and learning should be grounded on CTML principles of instructional design. Otherwise, students' perceptions of ed-tech usability are potentially hindered.
RESUMEN
Body Worlds is an anatomical exhibition that shows human remains to the public. It has been considered controversial since it raises ethical tensions and issues. However, organizers and supporters of Body Worlds have claimed the exhibition is intended to promote visitors' understanding over the human body. Despite these claims, no studies were found that support or refute the hypothesis that a visit to Body Worlds increases the public's objective knowledge on human anatomy. Consequently, the objective of this study was to determine the impact of Body Worlds on anatomical knowledge. We constructed and delivered a questionnaire to both a previsit random sample and a postvisit random sample of visitors of Body Worlds' event Facets of Life, in Berlin. The questionnaire was available in both English and German languages and contained (a) basic sociodemographic questions and (b) a valid and reliable anatomy quiz. The quiz consisted of 16 multiple-choice questions that assessed the ability to identify the location of major anatomical structures on the human body. Average scores achieved on the quiz by the postvisit sample (X¯= 9.08, s = 2.48, n = 164) were significantly higher (unpaired t = 3.3957, P = 0.0008) than those achieved by the previsit sample (X¯= 8.11, s = 2.69, n = 167). Our results suggest that a visit to Body Worlds' event Facets of Life may have a beneficial effect in anatomical knowledge. However, further studies with better empirical designs and fewer limitations are needed to confirm our results.
