Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40728369›Full record

ArticleClinical anatomy (New York, N.Y.)2026

An Alternative Approach in Anatomy Education: Design of a Learning Environment Based on Artificial Intelligence-Supported Virtual Manipulatives and Investigation of Its Effectiveness.

Gunes Bolatli, Salih Birisci, Zafer Bolatli

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Clinical anatomy (New York, N.Y.), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Gunes BolatliDepartment of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Yalova University, Yalova, Turkey.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7648-0237
Salih BirisciDeparment of Computer Education and Instructional Technology, Bursa Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7131-5112
Zafer BolatliDeparment of Computer Education and Instructional Technology, Bursa Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1259-6211

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Given the challenges of teaching and learning anatomy, it is vital to explore tools that enhance knowledge and understanding. In line with this need, this study aimed to develop a web-based learning module with ChatGPT-based artificial intelligence-supported virtual manipulatives to enhance anatomy education and assess its efficacy. The ADDIE model was adopted for the instructional design process. By employing a mixed-method research design, the effects of this learning module on the students' academic achievement, cognitive load, retention, and perceptions were analyzed. In the quantitative research phase, a quasi-experimental pre- and posttest design was used to examine the effects of academic achievement and cognitive load, using the academic achievement test and cognitive load scale. Qualitative data were gathered via an interview form developed by the researchers. The results of the research demonstrate that the instructional design model that incorporates artificial intelligence-based virtual manipulatives, is an effective approach to learning anatomy, with a notable impact on academic achievement and a reduction in cognitive load. While the students' perceptions of their educational experiences showed that the usability of the web module was well-received and ChatGPT was adopted as a study companion, both positive and negative comments were made regarding the use of virtual manipulatives and ChatGPT. This study suggests that AI and virtual manipulatives may offer a promising alternative to traditional learning, providing an innovative framework for teaching and learning of anatomy.

Indexed as

AnatomyArtificial IntelligenceComputer-Assisted InstructionFemaleHumansLearningMaleYoung Adultanatomy educationartificial intelligenceChatGPTsimulationvirtual manipulative

Identifiers

PMID40728369
PMCPMC12747621

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.