Anatomy Learning with Virtual Objects

In 3 experiments, participants learned bone anatomy by using a hand-held controller to rotate an on-screen 3D bone model. The on-screen bone included (OR condition) or did not include (no-OR condition) orientation references—visible lines marking its axes. The learning task involved rotating the on-screen bone to match target orientations. Learning outcomes were assessed by having participants identify anatomical features from different orientations. On the learning task, the OR group performed more accurately, directly, and quickly than the control group and high-spatial individuals outperformed low-spatial individuals. Assessments of anatomy learning indicated that under more challenging conditions, ORs elevated learning by low-spatial individuals to near that of high-spatial individuals. In Experiment 3, orientation references were shown to help learners avoid disorientation due to the symmetrical shape of the object.