Case Study: XR in the Classroom for Smarter Human Anatomy Training at FLCC
Finger Lakes Community College — Photo courtesy of FLCC
TL;DR: FLCC boosts anatomy learning with HoloAnatomy’s 3D digital cadaver, using mixed reality to improve retention, engagement, and accessibility on any budget.
Diverse Learners, Common Barriers
At Finger Lakes Community College (FLCC), students learning anatomy faced a familiar struggle: limited resources, no access to cadaver labs, and the challenge of balancing school with work and family. For a diverse student population training for careers in healthcare, the traditional model wasn’t enough.
Championing Change: Christine Parker’s Vision
Christine Parker, a Professor in the Department of Science and Technology at FLCC, teaches anatomy and physiology to full and part-time students. The college is a small, public liberal arts institution in Western New York with a student body of about 5,000. Many students are first-generation college students, work full time, or have family responsibilities, making accessibility and engagement important considerations.
A Grant, a Headset, and a Whole New Vision
In 2018, inspired after viewing a video about Case Western Reserve University’s use of mixed reality in medical education, Parker asked, “Why do fancy medical schools get all the fun tools?” Determined to bring that same innovation to FLCC, she secured small internal IT grants to purchase four devices and introduce the HoloAnatomy® learning platform.
According to Parker, initial student reactions were overwhelmingly positive. A quasi-experimental study soon followed, significantly improving student performance on muscle practical exams.
“Students and instructors alike were crawling on the floor, interacting with the holograms—something I’d never seen with plastic models.”
HoloAnatomy®: Anatomy in 3D
FLCC adopted HoloAnatomy, an interactive 3D library of human anatomy compatible with mixed reality. Unlike virtual reality, mixed reality lets students collaborate in real space while engaging with digital anatomical models. The tool enhanced understanding of spatial relationships in human anatomy and provided a more immersive experience.
Parker and her team wanted to implement a hybrid of in-person and remote instruction to enable simultaneous instruction across campuses using the same XR technology. FLCC also integrated HoloAnatomy into their Science Incubator (science tutoring center) and is building collaborations with other departments.
Better Scores, Stronger Retention
Students using HoloAnatomy not only showed higher academic performance but also demonstrated stronger engagement and retention. The success led to expanded use across disciplines and ongoing investment in XR infrastructure.
“Active learning isn’t optional anymore... XR isn’t just flashy—it makes the invisible visible, and that improves outcomes.”
As XR hardware costs decrease and platforms like HoloAnatomy become compatible with affordable devices like MetaQuest 3, healthcare educators and administrators are rethinking the possibilities.
As FLCC shows, mixed reality is not the future of anatomy education but the present. Their experience demonstrates that XR can enhance learning, increase engagement, and improve outcomes, even on a tight budget. Medical educators and institutional leaders can consider how this technology can transform the classroom today.
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FLCC adopted HoloAnatomy to give students access to 3D digital anatomy learning without the cost and limitations of cadaver labs. Mixed reality allowed students to explore the medical human body in 3D, improving spatial understanding and engagement while making advanced anatomy education accessible on a limited budget.
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HoloAnatomy boosted exam scores, increased student engagement, and improved retention in anatomy and physiology courses. Students could walk around a virtual cadaver, isolate systems, and view structures in context—making complex relationships clearer than with traditional 2D or plastic models.
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Yes. FLCC proved that even small colleges can integrate advanced XR anatomy platforms. Using grants and affordable XR hardware like Meta Quest 3, institutions can build a scalable, collaborative virtual anatomy lab that supports in-person and remote learning.
