Teaching Methods and Tools Used In Food Safety Extension Education Programs in the North Central Region of the United States
Subject Areas : Environmental policy and management
Vikram Swaroop
Chandra Koundinya
1
(Postdoctoral Research Associate, Global Extension Programs & Department of Agricultural Education and Studies,Iowa State University, Ames, IA – 50011.)
Robert
A. Martin
2
(Professor, Department of Agricultural Education and Studies, Iowa State University, Ames, IA – 50011)
Keywords: Food Safety Education, Extension Educators, Teaching Methods and Teaching Tools,
Abstract :
One of the ways to ensure food safety is to educate the public. Of the organizations providing food safety education in the United States (U.S.), the Cooperative Extension System (CES) is one of the most reliable. The effectiveness CES programs depends not only on what is being taught but also on how it is taught. Both a needs-based curriculum and how that curriculum is delivered are equally important. This descriptive cross-sectional study using a disproportional stratified random sample identified the teaching methods and tools being used by food safety extension educators of the CES of North Central Region (NCR). A Likert-type scale administered to extension educators revealed that they were adopting a balanced use of teaching methods and tools, and using learner-centered teaching methods in their programs. However, distance education, case studies and podcasts, which are commonly used in education programs, were not being used extensively. We recommend that food safety extension educators of NCR should increase the use of these two teaching methods and tool while continuing to use the current ones. This study has implications for improving food safety education delivery to clients in the NCR and for designing inservice education for food safety extension educators.
| 1- Altekruse, S. F., Steet, D. A., Fein, S. B., & Levy,A. S. (1995). Consumer knowledge of foodbornemicrobial hazards and food-handling practices.Journal of Food Protection, 59(3), 287-294. | ||||
| 2- Apantaku, S. O., Olufade, O., Adebayo, K., &Oyekanmi, A. (2008). Analysis of effects of extensionteaching methods on farmers' level of cassava andmaize production in Ogun State, Nigeria [Abstract].Ghana Journal of Agricultural Science, 41(1), ISSN:0855-0042. | ||||
| 3- Ary, D., Jacobs, L. C., Razavieh, A., & Sorenson,C. (2006). Introduction to research in education (7thed). Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth. | ||||
| 4- Barton, J. A., & Barbeau, W. E. (1992). IsExtension ready for food safety education in the'90s?. Journal of Extension, 30(1), Article number1FRM2. | ||||
| 5- Bednar, C., Kwon, J., Baker, M., & Kennon, L.(2003). Survey of food safety education needs forlow-income consumers. Journal of the AmericanDietetic Association, 103(9), pp 111-112. | ||||
| 6- Berger, N. O., Caffarella, R. S., & O'Donnell, J.M. (2004). "Learning contracts". In Galbraith, M.W. (eds.), Adult learning methods. A guide foreffective instruction (3rd Ed) (pp. 289-319). Malabar,FL: Krieger Publishing Company. | ||||
| 7- Braiser, K., Barbercheck, M., Kiernan, N. E.,Sachs, C., Schwartzberg, A., & Trauger, A. (2009).Extension educators' perceptions of the educationalneeds of women farmers in Pennsylvania. Journalof Extension, 47(3). Article number 3FEA9. | ||||
| 8- Brookfield, S. D. (2004). "Discussion". In Galbraith,M. W. (eds.), Adult learning methods. A guide foreffective instruction (3rd Ed) (pp. 209-226). Malabar,FL: Krieger Publishing Company. | ||||
| 9- Camara, M. (2006). Agricultural extension educators'perceptions regarding the teaching and learningprocess related to water quality issues in the NorthCentral Region of the United States (Doctoral Dissertation).Iowa State University, Ames. | ||||
| 10- Centers for Disease control and Prevention(2011). CDC Estimates of Foodborne Illness in theUnited States. Retrieved March 23, 2011 from,http://www.cdc.gov/foodborneburden/2011-foodborne-estimates.html | ||||
| 11- Cole, J. M. (1981). Selecting extension teachingmethods. Journal of Extension, 27-32. | ||||
| 12- Conti, G. J., & Kolody, R. C. (2004). "Guidelinesfor selecting methods and techniques". In Galbraith,M. W. (eds.), Adult learning methods. A guide foreffective instruction (3rd Ed) (pp. 181-192). Malabar,FL: Krieger Publishing Company. | ||||
| 13- Costello, C., Gaddis, T., Tamplin, M., & Morris,W. (1997). Evaluating the effectiveness of two instructionaltechniques for teaching food safety principlesto quick service employees. Journal of FoodserviceSystems, 10, 41-50. | ||||
| 14- Creswell, J. L. (1990). An identification and as-sessment of Extension educational delivery systemsfor training of private pesticide applicators (DoctoralDissertation). Iowa State University, Ames. | ||||
| 15- Dean, K. W., Reames, E. S., Tuuri, G., Keenan,M. J., Bankston Jr, J. D., Friendship, D. Y., …Tucker, E. H. (2008). Improved knowledge andadoption of recommended food safety practices byfood recovery agency personnel and volunteers participatingin the serving food safely program. Journalof Extension, 46(4), Article number 4RIB4. | ||||
| 16- De Waal, C. S., & Robert, N. (2005). Globaland local: Food safety around the world. Center forScience in the Public Interest, 1875 ConnecticutAvenue, N.W., Suite 300, Washington, D. C. 20009-5728. | ||||
| 17- Dooley, L. M., & Lindner, J. R. (2003). Thehandling of nonresponse error. Human ResourceDevelopment Quarterly, 14(1), 99-110. [DOI via Crossref] [DOI via Crossref] | ||||
| 18- Dooley, K. E., Van Laanen, P. G., & Fletcher, R.D. (1999). Food safety instructor training using distanceeducation. Journal of Extension, 37(3), Articlenumber 3FEA5. | ||||
| 19- Ellis, J. D. (2006). Food safety training as adulteducation: Determining prior knowledge in theservice of scientific conceptual change (DoctoralDissertation). Iowa State University, Ames. | ||||
| 20- Farrah, S. J. (2004). "Lecture". In Galbraith, M.W (eds.), Adult learning methods. A guide foreffective instruction (3rd Ed) (pp. 227-252). Malabar,FL: Krieger Publishing Company. | ||||
| 21- Garton, B. L. (1999). "Adult teaching methods".In Birkenholz, R. J (eds.). Effective adult learning(pp. 43-56). Danville, IL: Interstate Publishers, Inc. | ||||
| 22- Gentry-Van Laanen, P., & Nies, J. I. (1995).Evaluating Extension program effectiveness: Foodsafety education in Texas. Journal of Extension,33(5). Article number 5FEA4. | ||||
| 23- George, D., & Mallery, P. (2003). SPSS forwindows step by step. A simple guide and reference.11.0 update (4th ed). New York, NY: Pearson Education,Inc. | ||||
| 24- Gilley, J. W. (2004). "Demonstration and simulation".In Galbraith, M. W. (eds.), Adult learningmethods. A guide for effective instruction (3rd Ed)(pp. 361-381). Malabar, FL: Krieger PublishingCompany. | ||||
| 25- Guion, L. A., Simonne, A., & Easton, J. (2004).Youth perspectives on food safety. Journal of Extension.42(1), Article number 1RIB5. | ||||
| 26- Hall, J. B., McKinnon, B. R., Greiner, S. P., &Whittier, W. D. (2004). Teaching complex, indepthprograms. Journal of Extension, 42(3), Article number3FEA2. | ||||
| 27- Jarvis, P. (2004). Adult education and lifelonglearning. Theory and practice (3rd ed.). New York,NY: RoutledgeFalmer. | ||||
| 28- Jayaratne, K. S. U. (2001). Agricultural extensioneducators' perceptions regarding the teaching andlearning processes as related to sustainable agriculture:Implications for agricultural extension education(Doctoral Dissertation). Iowa State University, Ames. | ||||
| 29- Jayaratne, K.S.U & Martin, R. A. (2003). Agriculturalextension educators' perceptions regardingteaching methods and tools for educating farmersabout sustainable agricultural practices. Proceedingsof AEEE central region agricultural education researchconference, St Louis, Missouri. | ||||
| 30- Jenkins, J. H., Newman, M. E., Castellaw, J. C.,& Lane, Jr, C. D. (2000). Partnering with the locallivestock market in educational programs. Journalof Extension, 38(3), Article number 3RIB2. | ||||
| 31- Koundinya, V., & Duttala, R. (2002). Impact ofAnnadata-velugubata, a distance education programon the knowledge gain in groundnut and mangocultural practices of the televiewers in Chittoordistrict of Andhra Pradesh. Journal of Research ANGRAU,30(2), 127-129. | ||||
| 32- Koundinya, V. & Martin, R. A. (2010). Foodsafety inservice educational needs of agriculturalteachers. Journal of Agricultural Education, 51(4),82-91. [DOI via Crossref] [DOI via Crossref] | ||||
| 33- Kwaw-Mensah, D. (2008). Perceptions of agriculturalextension educators regarding livestockwaste management education in the North CentralRegion (Doctoral Dissertation). Iowa State University,Ames. | ||||
| 34- Laminack, J., Dainello, F., Degenhart, S. H.,Vestal,T. A., & Wingenbach, G. (2008). Increasing positiveperceptions of food irradiation: Appealing to one'saffective domain. Journal of Extension, 46(4), Articlenumber 4RIB3. | ||||
| 35- Lindner, J. R., Murphy, T. H., & Briers, G. H.(2001). Handling nonresponse in social science research.Journal of Agricultural Education, 42(4),43-53. [DOI via Crossref] | ||||
| 36- Marrotte, E. L. (2000). The evolution in usinghigh tech teaching tools in outreach programs: Fromstone age to high tech. Journal of Extension, 38(5).Article number 5TOT2. | ||||
| 37- Marsick, V. J. (2004). "Case study". Galbraith,M. W. (eds.), In Adult learning methods. A guidefor effective instruction (3rd Ed) (pp. 383-404). Malabar,FL: Krieger Publishing Company. | ||||
| 38- McDowell, G. R. (2001). Land grant universitiesand extension into the 21st century: Renegotiatingor abandoning a social contract. Ames, IA: IowaState University Press. | ||||
| 39- Miller, L. E., & Smith, K. L. (1983). Handlingnonresponse issues. Journal of Extension, September/October, 45-50. | ||||
| 40- Motarjemi, Y., & Kaferstein, F. (1999). Foodsafety, hazard analysis and critical control point andthe increase in foodborne diseases: a paradox? FoodControl, 10, 325-333. | ||||
| 41- Nyachuba, D. G. (2010). Foodborne illness: Isit on the rise? Nutrition Reviews, 68(5), 257-269. | ||||
| 42- Ota, C., DiCarlo, C. F., Burts, D. C., Laird, R.,& Gioe, C. (2006). Training and the needs of adultlearners. Journal of Extension, 44(6), Article number6TOT5. | ||||
| 43- Pennsylvania Impact (1999). Building food safetyinto our food system. College of Agricultural Sciences,Teaching, Research and Cooperative Extension ProgramsWork for Pennsylvania. U.Ed. AGR99-785M299PS23980. Retrieved August 3, 2010, fromhttp://paimpact.cas.psu.edu/pdf/agr9978.pdf | ||||
| 44- Radhakrishna, R, B., & Thomson, S. (1996).Extension agents' use of information sources. Journalof Extension, 34(1), Article number 1RIB2. | ||||
| 45- Reddy, A. A. (1993). Extension Education (5thed). Bapatla, A.P: Sree Lakshmi Press. | ||||
| 46- Reisenberg, L. E., & Gor, C. O. (1989). Farmers'preferences for methods of receiving informationon new or innovative farming practices. Journal ofAgricultural Education. Fall, 7-13. [DOI via Crossref] | ||||
| 47- Roberts, K. R., Remig, V. M., Bryant, T. J., &Snyder, G. (2009). Older adults' technology preferencesrelated to food safety education. Journal ofthe American Dietetic Association, 109(9), pg A64. [DOI via Crossref] | ||||
| 48- Rodewald, A. D. (2001). Delivery systems--Isthe "latest" technology the greatest? Journal of Extension,39(4), Article number 4TOT2. | ||||
| 49- Selby, K. A., Peters, J. L., Sammons, D. J.,Branson, F. F., & Balschweid, M. A. (2005). Preparingextension educators for a global community. Journalof Extension, 43(4). Article number. 4RIB1. | ||||
| 50- Shanley, E. L., Thompson, C. A., Dziura-Duke,C., & Rodriguez, N. (2009). Innovative food safetyeducation for low literacy food service employeesusing traditional versus distance learning methods.Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 109(9),pg A63. [DOI via Crossref] | ||||
| 51- Shinn, Y. (1997). Teaching strategies, their useand effectiveness as perceived by teachers of agriculture:A national study (Doctoral Dissertation).Iowa State University, Ames. | ||||
| 52- Small, R. M., Waterbury, J. A., & Mark, D. R.(2008). Livestock insurance web site: A learningtool for producers, insurance agents, and educators.Journal of Extension, 46(3), Article number 3TOT4. | ||||
| 53- Smith, S., & Davis, D. (2008). The use of radiobroadcast, internet, and podcasting in a family lifeeducation program, 46(2), Article number 2IAW1. | ||||
| 54- Thomson, J. S., Abel, J. L., & Maretzki, A. N.(2001). Edible Connections: A model to facilitatecitizen dialogue and build community collaboration.Journal of Extension, 39(2), Article number 2FEA5. | ||||
| 55- Trepka, M. J. (2008). Interactive multimedia canbe used effectively in food safety education. Journalof the American Dietetic Association, 108(6), pg 985. [DOI via Crossref] [Pubmed] | ||||
| 56- United States Department of Veteran Affairs(2008). Methodological challenge. Using qualitativeresearch methods. Retrieved from http://www.colmr.research.va.gov/mgmt_research_in_va/methodology/qualitative_research.cfm#2 | ||||
| 57- University of Idaho (2006). Research methods.How psychologists conduct research. Retrieved June23, 2010 from, http://www.class.uidaho.edu/psyc101/ResearchMethods6.pdf | ||||
| 58- Walczyk, J. J. & Ramsey, L. L. (2003). Use oflearner-centered instruction in college of science andmathematics classroom. Journal of Research in ScienceTeaching. 40(6), 566-584. | ||||
| 59- Wardlaw, M. K. (1999). Empowering consumers:Hamburger safety. Journal of Extension, 37(3), Articlenumber 3IAW5. | ||||
| 60- Webster, J., Rogers, D. L., & Mariger, S. C.(2001). Utah extension educators' perceived satisfactionwith and needs for agricultural health and safety information.Journal of Extension, 39(2), Article number2RIB3. | ||||
| 61- World Health Organization (2007). Food safetyand foodborne illnesses. WHO Media centre. Retrievedfrom http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs237/en/ | ||||
| 62- Xie, K., & Gu, M. (2007). Advancing CooperativeExtension with podcast technology, Journal of Extension,45(5), Article number 5TOT2. | ||||
| 63- Yin, R. K. (2003). Case study research. Designand methods (3rd ed). Applied Social ResearchMethods. Vol 5. | ||||