title: An interactive, web-based tool for learning anatomic landmarks.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effectiveness of a Web-based interactive teaching tool that uses self-assessment exercises with real-time feedback to aid students' learning in a gross anatomy class.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 107 of 124 first-year medical students at one school were enrolled in the study. Students were divided into three groups: Group 1 (n = 63) received introductory material and activated their Web-based accounts; Group 2 (n = 44) received introductory material but did not activate their Web-based accounts; and Group 3 (n = 17) were not enrolled in the study and received no introductory material. Students in Group 1 had access to a graphic showing the locations of anatomic landmarks, a drill exercise, and a self-evaluation exercise. Students' ability to identify the anatomic landmarks on a 30-question midterm and a 30-question final exam were compared among the groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean scores of students in Group 1 (midterm = 28.5, final = 28.1) were significantly higher than were the mean scores of students in Group 2 (midterm = 26.8, p <.001; final = 26.9, p <.017) and Group 3 (midterm = 24.8, p <.001; final = 26.4, p <.007).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Web-based tool was effective in improving students' scores on anatomic landmark exams. Future studies will determine whether the tool aids students in identifying structures located in three-dimensional space within regions such as the cranium and the abdominal cavity.
authors.affiliation: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA. hallgren@msu.edu
authors.forename: Richard C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Hallgren
authors.forename: Perrin E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Parkhurst
authors.forename: Carol L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Monson
authors.forename: Nancy M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Crewe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000715:Anatomy / Q000193:education*; D003196:Computer Graphics; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D003479:Curriculum; D005246:Feedback; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D010021:Osteopathic Medicine / Q000193:education*; D012655:Self-Evaluation Programs