Comparing two and three dimensional images in learning of neuroscience course

Background and Using images is a requirement of medical education and evaluation of effect of type of image on learner could be helpful for medical education. The purpose of the present study is comparison of two dimensional and three dimensional images in neuroscience learning. In present case control study, equal number of two dimensional and three dimensional images of neurons system were presented to 61 students in twice and learning is evaluated with four choice examination. Data were analyzed with Paired T Test and ANOVA. Findings show that three dimensional Picture have higher performance in education (P<0.01). Female have better performance than male (P<0.05) and there are no differences between both genders and type of images (P> 0.05). Three dimensional figures preference in memorizing is related to higher features of three dimensional stimuli than two dimensional. Interpreting symbols in two dimensional images caused overload of working memory and diminished learner performance.