Evidence-based education
AvatarZOO is based on various grounded principles in education. Your interactions with the models and with your physical environment stimulate interactive learning. Pulling superficial layers and structures from the model to find and examine the deeper structures that you are looking for is a form of embodied learning. The grounded theory of embodied cognition describes that learning, memorizing, and automation are stimulated by supporting congruent movements of your body. Use the safe and authentic AvatarZOO digital learning environment for unlimited training with clinical procedures, without compromising animal welfare. This type of experiential learning will boost your self-efficacy and self-confidence. New versions of AvatarZOO will support collaborative learning in which you can engage with your peers to learn from a shared model. Augmented Reality technology greatly supports this type of interaction because your view on your physical environment, including your peers, is not obscured by the wearable device.
Personalized learning
One learning aspect of AvatarZOO deserves special focus: personalized learning! Our scientific research has identified an interesting relationship between your visual-spatial abilities and learning from online 3D models. When your visual-spatial abilities are on the lower side using a 3D model that is published on a regular computer screen (e.g. computer monitor, tablet, cell phone) puts you at risk of learning poorly. We have demonstrated that by using a learning environment like AvatarZOO, in which you engage with the models in full 3D, you learn spatial relationships as well and as efficiently as your peers with higher visual-spatial abilities. This personalized approach to learning will boost your spatial knowledge and performance!
