Augmented Reality in Higher Education: a Case Study in Medical Education

TL;DR

This paper presents a case study on using augmented reality as a remote teaching tool in medical education, demonstrating its positive impact on anatomy learning during social distancing.

Contribution

It introduces the Anatomy Experience, an AR tool for anatomy education, and evaluates its effectiveness through user feedback in a medical school setting.

Findings

Positive feedback from students and trainers

Enhanced understanding of anatomy

Potential for remote medical education

Abstract

During lockdown, we piloted a variety of augmented reality (AR) experiences in collaboration with subject matter experts from different fields aiming at creating remote teaching and training experiences. In this paper, we present a case study on how AR can be used as a teaching aid for medical education with pertinent focus on remote and social distanced learning. We describe the process of creating an AR experience that can enhance the knowledge and understanding of anatomy for medical students. The Anatomy Experience is an AR enhanced learning experience developed in collaboration with the Medical School of the University of Edinburgh aiming to assist medical students understand the complex geometry of different parts of the human body. After conducting a focus group study with medical students, trainees, and trainers, we received very positive feedback on the Anatomy Experience and its effects on understanding anatomy, enriching the learning process, and using it as a tool for anatomy teaching.