title: The use of educational comics in learning anatomy among multiple student groups.
abstract: Understanding basic human anatomy can be beneficial for all students, regardless of when, or if, they will later undertake a formal course in the subject. For students who are preparing to undertake a formal anatomy course, educational comics on basic anatomy can serve as a concise and approachable review of the material. For other students, these comics can serve as a helpful and fun introduction to the human body. The objective of the comics in this study was to promote an understanding of fundamental human anatomy through self-learning among students. Based on the authors' previous teaching experience, these anatomy comics were produced in a simple, direct style. The comics were titled after the two main characters, "Anna" (a girl) and "Tommy" (a boy). These comics were then presented to groups of elementary school students, high school students, premedical students, and medical students to assess the comics' ability to enhance student interest and comprehension of basic anatomy. Quiz scores among high school students and premedical students were significantly higher among participants who read the educational comics, indicating a deeper comprehension of the subject. Among medical students, close reading of the comics was associated with improved course grades. These educational anatomy comics may be helpful tools to enrich a broad spectrum of different students in learning basic human anatomy. Anat Sci Educ 10: 79-86. © 2016 American Association of Anatomists.
authors.affiliation: College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado.
authors.forename: Jiyoon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Min Suk
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Information and Communication, Ajou University, Suwon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hae Gwon
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Beom Sun
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Chung
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000715:Anatomy / Q000193:education*; D002648:Child; D032882:Comprehension; D004493:Education / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D056910:Republic of Korea; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: anatomy cartoons; comics in education; gross anatomy education; medical education; nonprofessional education; science education; undergraduate education