Computer Based Nutrition Education Program In Pakistan
The present survey was typical in three facets. For the first clip, computer-based nutrition instruction intercession was applied and evaluated in the Pakistan primary school scene. Second, the acceptableness of the computer-based nutrition instruction plan in a Pakistan context was explored. Third, the comparing of the present survey informations with informations of Vienna survey was carried out.
In the instance of the first facet, the survey successfully demonstrated that the kids could larn nutrition constructs and healthy eating wonts in a lively and interesting environment. As respects the 2nd facet, the survey found that the kids and instructors were both positive and receptive to the computer-based nutrition instruction intercession. However, important barriers were identified that negatively impact the acceptableness of computer-based instruction, therefore finally, impacting its pertinence in the Pakistani primary schools. In instance of the 3rd facet, the comparative analysis helped to construe farther the survey consequences in the broader planetary context.
Since, in the present survey the nutrition cognition increased in both groups, this implies that usage of computing machine based nutrition instruction did non confabulate any extra advantage in the acquisition of nutrition constructs. Children do non like being inactive scholars. Rather, they learn through active engagement in the acquisition procedure. The intercession presented the nutrition constructs in concrete signifiers and through motivation and ambitious activities, which ensured the kids ‘s active engagement. In the visible radiation of this consequence, it can be justly inferred that irrespective of the bringing manner, originative, actuating and age appropriate nutrition instruction programmes can ease the acquisition of womb-to-tomb nutrition constructs and healthy feeding wonts. Such acquisition has more possible to be efficaciously translated into pattern.
As nutrition constructs are abstract and kids at the concrete operational phase happen them difficult to grok, set uping advanced and originative methods to learn kids about healthy feeding wonts are important. Matheson and Spangler ( 2001 ) in a reappraisal of 30 nutrition academic course of study suggest that half of the plans incorporated the component of wonder and challenge to convey the nutrition content. The consequence of present survey supports the determination that usage of originative methods increases kids ‘s ability to larn and hold on nutrition constructs efficaciously and easy and are consistent with the research. ( DiSogra, L. , Reger, B, 2002 )
Low nutrition position of Pakistani kids is richly documented in literature. However, it is barren of any reference about the nutrition cognition of these kids. The present survey fills this spread by supplying informations about the bing degree of nutrition cognition of kids in Pakistan. It provides grounds that nutrition cognition of Pakistani kids is really low. Furthermore, it demonstrates that this country can be successfully targeted and alteration can be achieved with comparatively few extra resources.
Besides the fact that the present survey was unable in set uping any extra acquisition advantage of computer-based nutrition instruction, it demonstrated that kids were really receptive towards utilizing the computing machines as a learning device. They regarded acquisition of nutrition constructs through computing machines as interesting and entertaining. Generally, in Pakistan, ‘learning to run computing machines ‘ is considered the chief intent of incorporating computing machines in schools. A valuable result of the present survey is hence making off with the bing impression and replacing it with the thought ‘learning through computing machines ‘ alternatively.
In this regard, the usage of computing machine as a medium of acquisition was new to the kids. As ascertained and discussed during the focal point group treatments, they faced some troubles utilizing computing machines on their ain. The success of computer-based instruction is non dependent upon the quality or measure of the engineering but instead upon the scholar ‘s attitude and preparedness to utilize it. The present universe is the universe of engineering and there is demand to develop kids ‘s competency in computing machine related engineering. Provision of instruction stuff through computing machines may function a double intent – sweetening of larning in the peculiar topic every bit good as competency in the usage of computing machine engineering.
As discussed in focal point group, although pupil instructors had some basic computing machine accomplishments, they were non really comfy utilizing computing machines as a instruction tool. This indicated their deficiency of computing machine efficaciousness. However, during the intercession, they realized the potency of computing machines as a instruction tool and showed willingness to utilize computing machines in their instruction. Considering, their deficiency of computing machine efficiency implies that in order to incorporate computing machines successfully in the Pakistani instruction system, instructors must acknowledge the importance of runing computing machines. Furthermore, they should familiarise themselves with computing machines as a instruction tool. The successful integrating of computer-based instruction is mostly dependent on instructor ‘s attitudes towards computing machines and their preparedness to utilize them in learning ( Deniz L, 2007 ) .
The survey highlighted the jobs confronting computer-based instruction, including deficiency of computing machine related accomplishments in instructors and kids, frequent power dislocations, deficiency of support from school disposals and deficiency of computing machine equipment and related substructure. This brings to illume the fact that integrating of computing machines in Pakistani instruction system requires comprehensive be aftering sing physical substructure and instructor ‘s preparation every bit good as ongoing rating and feedback.
There are evidently more opportunities of today ‘s instructors and pupils working with computing machines in schoolrooms of the hereafter. Therefore, there is demand to develop an consciousness for integrating computer-based instruction methods since the beginning. Computer-literate and computer-comfortable instructors are important for the effectual integrating of computing machines in instruction. This can be achieved by constructing up their assurance and bettering their computing machine self-efficacy through supplying them exposure to computing machines during their preparation. Such exposure will be helpful in developing the willingness to utilize computing machines in schoolrooms.
Given an history of the socio economic position and nutrition Knowledge, the research besides adds to the bing organic structure of cognition. Much of such literature has focused on developed states. However, the present research was managed to set up in the Pakistani context that kids belonging to take down socioeconomic position had significantly lower nutrition cognition as compared to those who belong to high socioeconomic position. Low socioeconomic position along with low nutrition related cognition and hapless life manner habits contributes to the hapless nutrition of the persons.
An extra determination, worthy of raising in the context of the decision, is significant addition in kids ‘s nutrition cognition and keeping at post-intervention and followup without being cognizant of the repeat of the nutrition cognition questionnaire. In Pakistan, instructors and pupils both focus on grade-oriented larning instead than conceptual acquisition. Therefore, a strong accent is placed on scrutiny consequences. This phenomenon makes kids dressed ore and learn merely those parts of the course of study that they consider relevant to the test. However, the present survey reveals a different facet from the predominating state of affairs, which implies that kids can larn and retain cognition without memorisation and acquisition by rote.
The comparing of the present survey consequences with the Vienna survey consequences revealed two really of import facets. First, in footings of nutrition cognition at baseline, the survey identified that nutrition cognition of Pakistani kids is really low as compared to the kids in Vienna survey. It signifies the insufficiency of Pakistani school course of study in peculiar and society in general in supplying cognition related to nutrition and healthy feeding to kids. In add-on, it draws attending to develop efficacious schemes to integrate nutrition instruction in the primary school course of study. It is an established fact that the nutrition constructs learnt early in life are more good in ulterior life. Knowledge is the first measure towards the realisation of healthy eating wonts.
Second, in literature, the Pakistani kids larning accomplishment are reported every bit low as compared to the international criterions ( Jishnu Das, 2006 ) . Interestingly, the comparing of post-intervention nutrition cognition consequences between Lahore survey and Vienna survey presented a different image. Children in the present survey attained more nutrition cognition tonss as compared to the kids of Vienna survey. Hence, proposing that the ascertained forms of low accomplishment of Pakistani kids could non be entirely attributed to their low rational competence. Indubitably, when advanced and interesting schemes are employed to learn kids, they can bring forth equal acquisition consequences.
The survey consequences have provided a strong foundation for integrating nutrition instruction intercession in primary schools. Computer-based tools were found helpful in circulating nutrition instruction. However, they were non the Panacea. Other originative mediums were about every bit effectual in circulating nutrition cognition. Even though, the survey was unable to corroborate extra advantage of computer-based nutrition instruction in the acquisition of nutrition constructs, it would non sabotage the potency of computing machines in the context of the Pakistan school scene.
Recommendations
Since the survey successfully demonstrated that kids ‘s nutrition cognition can be increased with the usage of both computer-based tools and other advanced and actuating schemes, the undermentioned recommendations for incorporation of nutrition instruction and computer-based instruction in Pakistan should be considered.
Recommendations for pattern
The determination that nutrition cognition of Pakistani kids is low justifies pressing inclusion of nutrition instruction in order to develop self-efficacy and inculcate accomplishments of healthy nutrient choice and readying in the primary school course of study. Sing this, the higher governments need to admit the importance of nutrition instruction and must incorporate nutrition instruction in primary schools course of study. The well low degree nutrition cognition in pupil instructors besides calls for attending. Nutrition instruction should be included in the instructors developing course of study. Incorporation of nutrition instruction in instructors developing will turn out good in developing consciousness in the community through kids. Furthermore, it is strongly recommended that instructors developing course of study should be revised. It should integrate comprehensive preparation sing the usage of computing machines as a instruction tool. In developing nutrition plans, more importance should be given to the kids of low socioeconomic position.
Recommendations for future research
As the present survey was the lone survey of its sort in the Pakistan context, there is demand for farther research to confirm these findings. This is advised in order to determine whether similar findings will be found utilizing other computer-based nutrition instruction plans. Due to the clip and resource restraints, the survey did non try to research the effects of nutrition cognition on alteration in dietetic behaviour. Future surveies are extremely recommended in order to research this facet.
The hereafter surveies to find the effectivity of computer-based nutrition instruction should include varied clip ps for the intercession. Further research needs to be conducted, which addresses the effectivity of computer-based nutrition instruction among other age groups ( stripling, elderly ) and kids in different scenes ( public schools, rural countries ) . Follow-up after one or two twelvemonth ‘s continuance should be conducted to find the consequence of computer-based instruction on cognition addition. Future surveies need to research the link between nutrition cognition, attitudes and dietetic behaviour specifically in the Pakistani population. There is besides need to research the relationship between parent nutrition cognition and kids nutrition cognition and dietetic wonts.
