The University of Poitiers, with its numerous fields of study, particularly in life sciences, is innovating in pedagogy. In collaboration with Audace, it has created an interactive and immersive system to facilitate student learning and make complex biology concepts more accessible to the general public. This project highlights two key themes:
- the functioning of the human heart
- the interactions between the nervous system and the muscles.
Thanks to this immersive educational system designed with Audace, the University of Poitiers adopts an innovative approach that combines pedagogy, technology, and science popularization to captivate both students and the general public.
An immersive and interactive 3D educational system.
Equipped with 3D glasses, students and professors can visualize key organs of the human body in a 360° exterior view or cross-section to understand their function. To achieve this, the system features a Cave® device. This allows for the projection of the organ’s image on a large scale, with an “augmented 3D effect.” which enhances the immersion. The professor, equipped with a remote control, can complement their teaching by activating interactive 3D animations, diagrams, and clickable annotations.
Content of immersive simulations
This immersive system is designed around two main themes:
1. Exploration of the anatomy of the heart and the cardiac cycle:
Users can observe in detail the functioning of a heart in action, including:
- the contraction of the atria and ventricles;
- the opening and closing of the atrioventricular and semilunar valves;
- the key stages of the cardiac cycle and their connection to an electrocardiogram (ECG).
2. Exploration of the interactions between the nervous and muscular systems:
The second simulation highlights the functioning of the Nerve-Muscle unit by explaining:
- the synaptic transmission;
- the role of the motor endplate and motor neurons;
- the essential physiological processes involving skeletal muscle.
Pedagogical objectives
- Gain a deep understanding of the anatomy and functioning of the cardiovascular and neuro-muscular systems.
- Enhance learning by using immersive technologies to visualize and manipulate 3D anatomical models.
- Facilitate the understanding of complex physiological processes through interactive animations and augmented visual tools.
Who is this system intended for?
- Students in the second year of a bachelor’s degree (L2), particularly those in life sciences.
- The general public, during workshops organized by the University of Poitiers.
