ProjectAnatomy: a handy tool for learning forearm anatomy with augmented physicalisations

ProjectAnatomy combines tangible objects with video projections that show the anatomy of the human forearm intended for learning through its eye-catching appearance. The prototype was shown to three target groups: non-experts, trainee medical students, and anatomy experts to provide qualitative and quantitative feedback. The study and observation of the users in the first two groups were carried out ‘in the wild’ where the users would come in contact with this type of visualisation to collect data on how it should be adjusted to their needs. The results have shown that the non-experts find it most helpful in learning anatomy, contrary to the experts who find it less useful yet very interesting and see its educational potential. The trainee medical students scored it the lowest; however, they would find it helpful to complement dissection classes. We conclude that this visual installation could be used in science centres and, when enriched with more details, for beginning medical students. Our study contributes specifically to the field of physical visualisation using 3D printed objects combined with projections that can be adjusted to the level of detail suitable for the target audience.