Peer Review

Virtual Anatomy Lab

Material Detail page

Reviewed:: Feb 6, 2019 by Biology

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:: Virtual Anatomy Lab was developed to provide virtual access to the models, microscope slides and dissection materials utilized in the anatomy and physiology lab at NCCC (Niagara County Community College). This site contains a collection of anatomical models, histological slides, and animal dissections. Systems covered include the axial skeleton, appendicular skeleton, muscular system, nervous system, reproductive system, endocrine system, cardiovascular system, respiratory system, urinary system and the digestive system. The models, slides and dissections could be used to supplement an anatomy laboratory or as practice to identify anatomical structures. The target audience would be upper level high school students and college general education students.
Type of Material:: The materials at this site are presented as a collection.
Recommended Uses:: This site can be used to supplement an anatomy laboratory course with pictures of anatomical models, histological slide preparations, and images of cat and sheep dissections. Students can use the images of labeled models to review. The material can be used for homework assignments, lecture supplements, and virtual lab activities.
Technical Requirements:: This material can be used with an Internet browser such as Chrome or Firefox, although Chrome appears to be a better browser for enabling the navigation tools.
Identify Major Learning Goals:: Students will be able to identify major anatomical structures. The purpose of this digital resourcs is to provide students and instructors with learning and review materials.
Target Student Population:: Advanced high school students and lower division college students will find this site useful, as well as students in anatomy courses who need a review of the material.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: This site generally has no prerequisites, although it may be useful to have some background knowlege of human anatomy to understand what is presented.

Content Quality

Rating:

Strengths:

The models used are accurate and clearly depict the structures
Images are appropriately categorized
The models are well organized and there are a variety of models available for study
Structures labeled are clinically important anatomical structures
Presenting labeled and unlabeled image options is good pedagogy

Concerns:

Some of the concerns about content quality of this site include:

An index of available labeled structures, and which models they are found on, would be useful for students trying to locate a structure
Some of the images are a little blurry
Some of the video clips are just animation without any audio

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:

Strengths:

The pedagogy of providing information is a nice blend of learning and interactivity
The models provide a vast supplement of information for an anatomy course or a histology course
Most of the models are well-photographed and structures are easy to recognize
The material is logically presented
Magnification for histological images is provided
Additional links to other anatomy sites are also provided

Concerns:

The learning objectives are not clearly stated. The site would also benefit from more animations or interactivity.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:

Strengths:

Easy to navigate to the different major sections of the site
Information is well-organized and easy to understand
Navigation is intuitive
Additional links are active at the time of this review and easy to use

Concerns:

There were no concerns about ease of use at this time, although it should be noted that the site appears to work little better using the Chrome browser.

Other Issues and Comments:: It would be helpful if some of the blurry images could be replaced by clearer ones. It would also be helpful to periodically update the materials with newer resources.
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