Extended Reality Development to Enhance Nervous System Learning Among Health Professions Students
Extended Reality Development to Enhance Nervous System Learning Among Health Professions Students

Summary/Abstract: Understanding the nervous system is essential for health science students, yet its complexity poses significant learning challenges. Cognitive psychology suggests that effective learning requires managing cognitive load and engaging multiple sensory channels to enhance memory and comprehension. Extended reality (XR) technology, by providing immersive, interactive 3D visualizations, aligns with these principles and offers potential to improve neuroanatomy education. This study assessed student learning needs and material complexity among 216 medical and pharmacy undergraduates at Universitas Gunadarma using a mixed-methods approach. Document analysis and classroom observations informed questionnaire development, which evaluated learning styles and content needs. Data was analyzed using qualitative coding and SPSS for quantitative results. XR media development followed the Waterfall model, encompassing analysis, design, implementation, testing, and maintenance. Findings revealed overlapping anatomy topics across programs and a predominance of visual learning preferences (p > 0.371). Brain structure and functional areas were identified as critical content requiring detailed spatial representation. These results underscore the importance of designing XR learning tools that accommodate cognitive principles and student characteristics, particularly by enhancing spatial visualization to reduce cognitive load and improve understanding. This study supports the targeted development of XR-based neuroanatomy media to advance health professions education.

• Details
• Contents