Study: Cadavers Better Teaching Tool Than Computers

A new study in Anatomical Sciences Education finds that cadavers are more effective than computer simulations in teaching anatomy. The study divided the 233 students in an undergraduate anatomy course into groups in which some learned on a cadaver and others through computer simulation. Those using the cadaver scored higher on tests both of identification of body parts and explaining how those parts work. The latter finding is particularly significant as simulation advocates have suggested that approach may be superior for using how parts work.