Know Your Anatomy: A Serious Games Application for Anatomy Learning
Know Your Anatomy is an online, interactive serious game developed to support the learning and revision of human anatomy. It is designed primarily for medical, nursing, dental, biomedical science, and other healthcare students The application transforms traditional anatomy revision into an engaging, game-show-style learning experience in which users can assess and strengthen their knowledge. The game is accessed online and is available internationally.
The application can be accessed through www.KnowYourAnatomy.com. A 12-month licence is required to use the application.
The application was evaluated with more than 500 students. The evaluation indicated benefits in areas including student engagement, knowledge retention, understanding of complex anatomical concepts, and confidence in applying anatomical knowledge. The success of the project has also contributed to wider institutional discussions regarding the integration of game-based learning into university curricula.
The scalable nature of the application provides opportunities for its use across different healthcare programmes and across the wider higher education sector. It demonstrates how digital technologies can be integrated thoughtfully into teaching to create inclusive, interactive, and student-centred learning experiences.
Queen's University Belfast Teaching Award
The development and evaluation of Know Your Anatomy received significant institutional recognition when the interdisciplinary team was selected as a winner of the Queen's University Belfast Teaching Awards 2024/25 in the Team Category.
The Teaching Awards Panel recognised the project as a sector-leading example of digital innovation in education. In particular, the panel highlighted the successful combination of pedagogical research, technological design, and multidisciplinary collaboration in creating a transformative anatomy-learning resource.
The panel also recognised the measurable benefits for students, including improved engagement, deeper understanding of complex anatomical material, and increased confidence in applying anatomical knowledge in practice. Another strength identified by the panel was the scalability of the project and its potential for broader adoption across Queen's University Belfast and the wider higher education sector.
The project was also commended for its alignment with the Queen's University Belfast Strategy 2030 digital transformation agenda. Through the effective integration of educational technology, collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity, Know Your Anatomy contributes to the University's ambition to transform the student experience and develop education for the future.
My contribution included developing questions for the Medicine and Dentistry sections of the application. I was also involved in evaluating the effectiveness of the game with first- and second-year medical students. This included conducting pilot studies and facilitating a focus group to explore students' experiences of using the application and to assess its effectiveness as an anatomy-learning and revision resource.
Through multiple-choice questions, anatomical image identification, interactive activities, and competitive scoring, the application encourages learners to actively test and reinforce their anatomical knowledge.
The positive evaluation of the application and its recognition through the Queen's University Belfast Teaching Awards demonstrate its contribution to enhancing student engagement, confidence, and learning. The project also illustrates the wider potential of game-based learning to support digital transformation and innovation within healthcare and higher education.