AEducAR (Anatomical Education with Augmented Reality) represents a pilot experience of an innovative tool for anatomical education that combines virtual information projected in an augmented reality device (tablet or HoloLens 2) with tangible anatomical parts printed in 3D. AEducAR arose from the need to find new teaching approaches for effective teaching of human anatomy. The project was developed with input from various professionals, such as anatomists (key contribution to human anatomy), maxillofacial surgeons (for future applicability in surgical activities), and biomedical engineers (for design). Following development, the tool was tested and evaluated by students in the human anatomy course at the International School of Medicine, University of Bologna. Comparing standard learning toward AEducAR, no significant differences were demonstrated between the two learning methods. The most notable finding was the enthusiasm and interest students showed for the new method, highlighting its training potential. Therefore, the AEducAR tool could help improve students' motivation to learn by increasing long-term memory retention, 3D understanding of anatomical structures, and confidence with innovative medical devices and technologies useful in their future careers.
