UAHT adds new anatomy technology to the classroom

HOPE/TEXARKANA, Ark. — The University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana recently purchased anatomy technology that instructors say will enhance health professions and science instruction for years to come.

UAHT used an Arkansas Division of Higher Education Perkins V grant to purchase two Toltech VH Dissector platforms. The technology employs a large, multi-touch anatomical visualization platform for collaborative learning through integrated 3D and cross-sectional atlases.

The platform is built on real anatomy from the National Library of Medicine’s Visible Human Project and includes more than 2,000 anatomical structures.

Science instructor Leslie Walker said the technology will come in handy in her anatomy and physiology labs and classes.

“You’re able to rotate it, manipulate it and dissect it all just using your hands,” Walker said. “Either the instructor or the student can go up to the screen to dissect all the way from the skin to the bones and manipulate this in a way that they’re able to look at it in a complete, 3D orientation.”

Walker said the device can be a resource to advance her students’ level of learning for years to come.

“I can start with this in the general anatomy lab, and it has the ability to go with students all the way through the allied health programs, and even a little beyond some of the scope of what we’re currently doing,” she said.

“We have different layers of muscles, and being able to see how those are oriented is huge. Instead of just telling them that in a lecture, I can now pull it up and show them.”

(For more information, visit www.uaht.edu or call 870-777-5722)