ANATOMY AND MOBILE TECHNOLOGY: DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF AN INTERACTIVE DIGITAL BOOK WITH 3D FEATURES FOR THE STUDY OF ANATOMY ON MOBILE DEVICES

Traditionally, the methods used in learning anatomy are based on the use of textbooks, 2D diagrams and dissection sessions meanwhile the human body is three dimensional (3D). However, students who have low-spatial ability have difficulties in understanding the structures in 3D space and finding muscles, nerves, and organs during dissection. Many students also experience discomfort with the use of cadavers in the dissecting room which has been considered to bring about a barrier to the teaching and learning of anatomy. Mobile devices allow students to have access to learning materials and information at their convenience, thus referred to as mobile learning or individualized learning which is integrated with anytime and anywhere learning. The study of anatomy is perceptible to the sense of touch and with the incorporation of “anatomy apps” on mobile devices, there is possibility of high level of interactivity whereby users can either rotate, flip, enlarge or reduce three dimensional anatomical structures to get a better understanding of these structures. This study was aimed at developing and evaluating an interactive 3D e-learning resource tool for study of the anatomy of the cervical vertebra. The ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation and Evaluation) model of instructional design was used in this study for the development of the resource tool and evaluation of the impact of the resource on the participants. 90% of the respondents favored the fact that the iBook is user friendly and easy to navigate, 93% agreed that the user interface, layout and appearance of the iBook is well organized. 75% agreed that the written content of the e-learning tool provides appropriate knowledge for the study of the region. 80% of the respondents strongly agreed that the tool is a helpful educational tool for medical students, 80% of the respondents also agreed that the tool compliments the medical curriculum and 85% strongly supported that fact the tool is flexible and saves reading time. The e-learning resource tool produced as can serve as a teaching and a learning aid in the study of human anatomy and improve the teaching and learning process in general as it combines education and entertainment thereby, making anatomy a lot more intuitive.