Visible Human Conference, 2002 Visible Human Browsers: Formative Evaluation Based on Student Feedback Neil Skov, EdD Wen Yu Lee, MS Deborah S. Walker, DNSc, CNM, FACNM Carl Berger, EdD

Visible Human Conference, 2002 Introduction Context: Next Generation Internet – Visible Human Project (NGI–VHP) User Interface and Evaluation Team Purpose: Student use of Visible Human data sets Formative evaluation of user interfaces

Visible Human Conference, 2002 Introduction Cont. Research Questions: What is the most effective way for student users to interact with VH browser interfaces? What are students’ perceptions of the usefulness of the VH software for learning anatomy?

Visible Human Conference, 2002 Background Formative Evaluation Early feedback Support design decisions Types of Review Expert or Formal Potential users  Usability  Acceptance

Visible Human Conference, 2002 Methods Hybrid Methodology Qualitative Semi-structured interview Interview about instances Focus group Video Taping

Visible Human Conference, 2002 Methods Cont. Participants Second-year medical students One year gross anatomy Three groups of four Group 1Group 2Group 3 0 Female 4 Male 2 Female 2 Male 1 Female 3 Male

Visible Human Conference, 2002 Methods Cont. Procedure Demonstration Student trials Discussion Repeat for Each Tool Summary Discussion

Visible Human Conference, 2002 Methods Cont. Software Edgewarp 3D (EW) PSC Volume Browser (PVB) Other  Anatomy content database  Edgewarp fly-through simulation

Visible Human Conference, 2002 Edgewarp 3D

Visible Human Conference, 2002 PSC Volume Browser

Visible Human Conference, 2002 Data Analysis Qualitative Video Analysis Joint viewing Repetition Notes (tables) Search for Patterns Thematic Organization

Visible Human Conference, 2002 Data Analysis Cont. Event Summary Table Event Seq. # Group Rec. # VH ToolObservation/Comment Theme Code

Visible Human Conference, 2002 Data Analysis Cont. Interactions with VH software Controls Interpretation of display Strategies for use Learning Anatomy Student requirements for anatomy content Use of the software for learning anatomy

Visible Human Conference, 2002 Data Analysis Cont. Suggestions for Control devices New functions Anatomy topics

Visible Human Conference, 2002 Selected Results Interactions with VH Software: Controls Like dragging yellow box (EW) Preference for button bars Image pixelation problem

Visible Human Conference, 2002 Selected Results Cont. Interactions with VH Software: Display Interpretation Problems Location of cut plane Aspect Motion  Translation  Rotation

Visible Human Conference, 2002 Results Cont. Learning Anatomy Labels, labels, labels, … Head-and-neck and pelvis Usefulness  Secondary resource  Steep learning curve Value increase with time

Visible Human Conference, 2002 Principal Conclusions Answers to Research Questions: Best Interface Features? Familiar button bars, but … Ability to jump/return to preset views Dragging cut plane in context window

Visible Human Conference, 2002 Conclusions Cont. Answers to Research Questions: Usefulness for Learning Anatomy? Importance of models Secondary learning tool ??? Avoid excessive cognitive load

Visible Human Conference, 2002 Conclusions Cont. Recommendations Image refresh & synchronization  NGI !!!  Compression !!! Orientation support  Models  “Compass” Selectable user modes

Visible Human Conference, 2002 Conclusions Cont. Remaining Issues Student study preferences Possible order effect Future Work

Visible Human Conference, 2002 Credits National Library of Medicine Brian Athey, P.I. (Contract: N01 - LM ) Edgewarp 3D Fred Bookstein & William Green PSC Volume Browser Art Wetzel & Stuart Pomerantz Arrangements and Demos Alex Ade, Walter Meixner, Geri Pelok, & Alex Terzian

Visible Human Conference, 2002 Visible Human Browsers: Formative Evaluation Based on Student Feedback Neil Skov, EdD Wen Yu Lee, MS Deborah S. Walker, DNSc, CNM, FACNM Carl Berger, EdD