A "Second Life" for gross anatomy: applications for multiuser virtual environments in teaching the anatomical sciences.
This article describes the emerging role of educational multiuser virtual environments, specifically Second Life™, in anatomical sciences education. Virtual worlds promote inquiry-based learning and conceptual understanding, potentially making them applicable for teaching and learning gross anatomy. A short introduction to Second Life as an anatomical educational tool is provided, along with description of existing anatomy applications and future directions for this innovative teaching modality.
Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center, 800 Rose Street, Lexington, KY 40536, USA. arich3@uky.edu
April
A
Richardson
Matthew
M
Hazzard
Sandra D
SD
Challman
Aaron M
AM
Morgenstein
Jennifer K
JK
Brueckner
D000715:Anatomy / Q000193:education*; D004777:Environment; D007753:Laboratories; D056739:Pterygopalatine Fossa / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D013336:Students, Health Occupations; D013663:Teaching; D014584:User-Computer Interface