Trends in Digital Resources for Anatomy Education

There has been a consistent increase in the adoption of digital technologies in anatomy education over the past few years, a trend that was hastened by the social distancing required during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although students and educators have since returned to the classroom, the use of these tools and the type and number of tools available has only continued to grow.

The Penn Libraries subscribes to several digital tools designed both to help anatomy students improve their learning and anatomy instructors to enhance their teaching. Each of these tools is accessible using a Penn Key:

• Visible Body: View and dissect images, watch animations and simulations, and test user knowledge with quizzes and flashcards.
• Complete Anatomy: Navigate around virtual anatomical models, use dissecting tools, and watch videos.
• Ackland's Video Atlas of Human Anatomy: Browse an extensive series of brief videos reviewing all aspects of the human body, along with exam features allowing users to test their knowledge.
• Anatomage Table (shown in featured photo): Located in the Holman Biotech Commons, the Anatomage Table provides a detailed look at real anatomy in 3D.

Along with the increase in usage of these tools is a complementary increase in published articles which review these resources and discuss how they could be used in the classroom. Also available are several reviews that seek to evaluate the effectiveness of these digital tools. One such study is a mixed method systematic review comparing traditional and online anatomy teaching. The authors of this review found that student academic performance was comparable between the groups, demonstrating no statistical difference between the two teaching methods. A scoping review conducted that same year also found that these tools had an overall positive outcome on student learning experience and engagement.

So far, the research consistently suggests that the use of virtual tools can be combined with learning in the classroom and a sound pedagogical framework to achieve student success.

At Penn, this approach is exemplified by Connie B. Scanga, Practice Professor in Integrated Anatomy/Physiology and Physical Assessment from the School of Nursing. Dr. Scanga uses the Visible Body virtual anatomy tool and asks her students to download the tool before their first lab class. Ensuring that students know how to access and use these tools easily and effectively enhances student satisfaction with the tools. This is also something that Penn Libraries can help instructors with.

Dr. Scanga then notes that students have weekly pre-lab assignments which they are asked to complete using Visible Body before coming to lab. In particular, Dr. Scanga asks students to save specific anatomical views in their Visible Body account, which they can return to throughout the course for review and test preparation.

In addition to supporting student use of these tools, the literature shows that when faculty themselves have training and support, they are able to do a better job of integrating tools into the classroom. The Penn Libraries recently upgraded its Visible Body account and our current subscription includes instructional support for faculty. This service, along with upgraded content and improved application integration, will help educators use the tool to its fullest extent.

If you have questions about Visible Body, or any of these anatomy tools, please reach out to the Penn Libraries. If you are a student or instructor who has had a meaningful experience using virtual anatomy tools, please also consider contacting the library to tell us your story!