Immersive Learning versus Traditional Learning in the Teaching of Neuroanatomy: A Qualitative Study with Focus Groups
[e-2601]:https://zenodo.org/records/18382601
Keywords:
Learning, immersive, virtual, education, technologies.Abstract
Medical education faces challenges in integrating immersive technologies without compromising traditional academic rigor. We aim to compare the effectiveness of immersive learning versus traditional learning in neuroanatomy for medical students. Methodology: Retrospective qualitative study with focus groups of 12 second-semester students at UJAT, divided into two groups. Adaptation of the CEQ analyzed six categories; data processed with hermeneutic phenomenological analysis in ATLAS.ti v24. Results: Immersive group showed positive ratings in all categories, with greater motivation, autonomy, and enrichment. Traditional group reported negative perceptions in motivation, objectives, and feedback. Immersive advantages include three-dimensional understanding and autonomy, but limited by resources and time. Teachers significantly influence; requires curricular integration. Conclusion/Contributions: Immersive learning surpasses traditional, promoting engagement and deep understanding; recommend as a complement in medical education with empirical evidence.
References
Andrade, A.D., Techatassanasoontorn , A.A., & Singh, H. (2023). Understanding the digital experience: phenomenological IS research. In Edward Elgar Publishing eBooks (pp. 88–103). https://doi.org/10.4337/9781802205398.00011
Campuzano Paniagua, G., Monroy, GR, & Viesca, KV (2021). Nuevos retos en México para la construcción de entornos virtuales de aprendizaje en tiempos de pandemia.(New challenges in Mexico for the construction of virtual learning environments in times of pandemic) Academia Y Virtualidad , 14 (2), 75–88. https://doi.org/10.18359/ravi.5391
Castro-Gutiérrez, N., Flores-Cruz, JA, & Magallanes, FA (2023). Laboratorio Virtual de Electromagnetismo como estrategia didáctica desde el enfoque de aprendizaje situado en ingeniería.(Virtual Electromagnetism Laboratory as a teaching strategy using the situated learning approach in engineering) PUBLICATIONS , 53 (2), 255–292. https://doi.org/10.30827/publicaciones.v53i2.26827
Choi, J., Thompson, C.E., Choi, J., Waddill, C.B., & Choi, S. (2021). Effectiveness of Immersive Virtual Reality in Nursing Education. Nurse Educator , 47 (3), E57–E61. https://doi.org/10.1097/nne.0000000000001117
Elmore, R. F. (2019). School reform from the inside out: Policy, practice, and performance . Harvard Education Press. https://books.google.com/books/about/School_reform_from_the_inside_out.html?id=Tn3uAAAAMAAJ
Hamilton, D., McKechnie, J., Edgerton, E., & Wilson, C. (2020). Immersive virtual reality as a pedagogical tool in education: a systematic literature review of quantitative learning outcomes and experimental design. Journal of Computers in Education , 8 (1), 1–32. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40692-020-00169-2
Herrington, A., & Panesar-Aguilar, K. (2022). Face-to-Face and Online Interprofessional Immersive Experiences: A Qualitative Study. International Journal of Social Science and Human Research , 05 (04). https://doi.org/10.47191/ijsshr/v5-i4-11
Jaramillo, GGG, De La Calle Andrade, LJ, Maggi, MB, & Villacrés, GEF (2023). Aprendizaje inmersivo con recursos didácticos virtuales en la enseñanza de la Neuroanatomía (Immersion learning with virtual teaching resources in the teaching of Neuroanatomy) Digital Anatomy , 6 (4.3), 266–278. https://doi.org/10.33262/anatomiadigital.v6i4.3.2805
Jia, Y., & Qi , R. (2023). Influence of an Immersive Virtual Environment on Learning Effect and Learning Experience. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (iJET), 18 (06), 83–95. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v18i06.37815
Kalunga, R., & Elshobosky, F. (2023). Using immersive technologies to enhance student learning outcomes in clinical sciences education and training. Education and New Developments . https://doi.org/10.36315/2023v2end123
Lindseth, A., & Norberg, A. (2021). Elucidating the meaning of life world phenomena. A phenomenological hermeneutical method for researching lived experience. Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences , 35 (4), 1006–1013. https://doi.org/10.1111/scs.13039
Melo, M. (2016). Contributions of the hermeneutics of Paul Ricoeur to the phenomenological research in psychology. USP Psychology , 27 (2), 296–306. https://doi.org/10.1590/0103-656420140071
Meyer, OA, Omdahl , MK, & Makransky , G. (2019). Investigating the effect of pre-training when learning through immersive virtual reality and video: A media and methods experiment. Computers & Education , 140 , 103603. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2019.103603
Priego Álvarez, HR, Fernández Quintana, Q., Córdova Hernández, JA, & Busquet García, J. (2023). Evaluación de una experiencia de aprendizaje inmersivo en la Formación Propedéutica Médica (Evaluation of an immersive learning experience in Medical Propedeutic Training) Conrado , 19 (93), 35–41. http://scielo.sld.cu/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1990-86442023000400035&lng=es&tlng=es
Ricoeur, P. (2001). La metáfora viviente A. Neira, Trad.; Segunda edición.(The living metaphor A. Neira , Trans.; Second edition) Trotta Publishing House . https://www.trotta.es/libros/la-metafora-viva/9788481644654/
Sandralegar , A., Bernard, F., Khatchatourov, S., Janssen, I., Schaller, K., Bijlenga , P., & Haemmerli , J. (2024). Mixed reality compared to the traditional ex cathedra format for neuroanatomy learning: the value of a three-dimensional virtual environment to better understand the real world. Neurosurgical FOCUS , 56 (1), E14. https://doi.org/10.3171/2023.10.focus23620
Suárez- Escudero , JC, Posada-Jurado, MC, Bedoya-Muñoz , LJ, Urbina -Sánchez, AJ, Morales, JLF, & Bohórquez -Gutiérrez, CA (2020). Enseñar y aprender anatomía.. (Teach and learn anatomy) Acta Médica Colombiana , 45 (4), 20–25. https://doi.org/10.36104/amc.2020.1898
Toko, A. (2022). Focus Groups. In Springer Texts in Education . Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-04394-9_31
Downloads
Published
Versions
- 2026-01-27 (2)
- 2026-01-27 (1)
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Heberto Romeo Priego-Alvarez, Juan Antonio Córdova Hernández, Yuliana Raquel Hernández Juárez, Yurislivia Ramos Jiménez, Mateo Ovando Arias, Querubin Fernandez Quintana

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

