XR in the Classroom: Blueprint for Smarter Human Anatomy Training

Finger Lakes Community College — Photo courtesy of FLCC

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.