Anatomy Builder VR: Applying a Constructionist Method in a Canine Musculoskeletal Learning System

gallery walk This is a station in the
Cyberlearning 2017 Poster Session.

Jinsil (Hwaryoung) Seo
Anatomy Builder VR Screenshot

We present Anatomy Builder VR that examines how a virtual reality (VR) system can support embodied learning in anatomy education. The backbone of the project is to pursue an alternative constructionist pedagogical model in VR for learning canine anatomy. The main focus of the study was to identify and assemble bones in the live-animal orientation, using real thoracic limb bones in a bone box and digital pelvic limb bones in the Anatomy Builder VR. Eleven college students participated in the study. The pilot study showed that participants most enjoyed interacting with anatomical contents within the VR program. Participants spent less time assembling bones in the VR, and instead spent a longer time tuning the orientation of each VR bone in the 3D space. This study showed how an embodied constructionist method could support anatomy education while using virtual reality technology in an active and experiential way.