Animated PowerPoint as a tool to teach anatomy

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Anatomical Sciences
• Digital Learning

Background:

• Anatomy is a fundamentally visual science.
• Traditional methods of anatomical illustration have evolved through various media.
• Computer-based animated projections offer a promising new medium for anatomical information.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop animated presentations for Gross and Developmental Anatomy lectures using Microsoft PowerPoint.
• To enhance the communication of complex anatomical information through visual aids.
• To improve student engagement and comprehension in anatomy courses.

Main Methods:

• Scanning pen-and-ink drawings to create digital images.
• Editing and manipulating images in an image processing program.
• Importing images into PowerPoint, enhancing them (e.g., color-coding arteries and veins), and animating these enhancements.
• Utilizing a networked server for lecture hall projection and a wireless mouse for presentation control.
• Providing students with unlabeled handouts for active note-taking during lectures.
• Saving presentations in HTML format for online student access post-lecture.

Main Results:

• Animated presentations were successfully developed and implemented for all Gross and Developmental Anatomy lectures.
• The method involved step-by-step animation of enhanced anatomical drawings.
• Student evaluation at the end of the course indicated a very favorable reception of this presentation style.

Conclusions:

• Animated PowerPoint presentations are an effective tool for enhancing the teaching of Gross and Developmental Anatomy.
• This digital approach facilitates improved communication of anatomical information.
• The method promotes active student engagement and is well-received by students.