Online learning and nutrition education
Community health professor Dr. Megan Patton-Lopez and graduate student Amy Spielmaker presented a poster at the annual Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior conference in Minneapolis. The poster summarizes a systematic review the duo – along with four researchers from other institutions – are working on about online education in college-level nutrition classes.
“We wanted to see what’s out there, if educators are having success, and then make some practical recommendations for people teaching online,” says Amy Spielmaker, a master’s candidate in WOU’s Information Technology program who also has a background in nutrition. “I’ve seen some reports say that by 2020, more than 50% of college classes will be online, so it seems important to understand what instructional designs are effective.”
Dr. Patton-Lopez adds that one of the main reasons she wanted to do the research was to inform the design of her online nutrition class this summer.
I like that online learning provides flexibility for working students as well as opportunities for problem-based learning. I’m looking forward to building upon this experience within my teaching and scholarship.
Poster abstract: Exploring the use of online learning in postsecondary nutrition education courses Amy Spielmaker, Megan Patton-López, Zubaida Qamar, Mallory Koenings, Brandy-Joe Milliron, Marissa Burgermaster
