Instructional Program Critical Analysis

CUR/711

Kathy CookMay 16, 2011

Welcome Board of DirectorsInstructional Program Critical Analysis of

Southwest Institute of Healing Arts

Online Nutritional Program

SWIHA Online Nutrition Program Overview

Includes nutrition courses

Healthy cooking classes

Students participate in an asynchronistic online environment

Six to twelve week courses

Six Nutrition courses/

Three cooking classes

Lead to a Holistic Nutrition Specialist certification

Learning Theories Relative to the SWIHA Online Nutrition Program An analysis was conducted of the current instructional program relative to developmental and learning theories

Learning Theories in the program:• Humanistic approach• Multiple Intelligences• Adult Learning Theory• Cognitive Learning Theory• Constructivist • Social

The Theories, Explained:

Humanistic Theory:

• Centered on the learner as a person and focused on 1) learner’s self-direction; 2) learner’s inner motivation; 3) learner’s self-reflection; and 4) learner’s personal growth achieved from the learning process

Social Theory:

• People can learn by observing the behavior is of others and the outcomes of those behaviors. Many behaviors can be learned or influenced by modeling.

The Theories, Explained (cont.)

Cognitive Learning:

• The acquisition of knowledge and skill is through mental/cognitive processes. Individuals learn by listening, watching, touching, reading, or experiencing and then processing and remembering the information.

Constructivist:

• People construct their knowledge rather than acquire it from their environment. The learner is viewed as an information processor. The human mind is important in understanding how people learn.

The Theories, Explained (cont.)

Adult Learning Theory:• Adults are autonomous and

self-directed learners. They are goal- and relevancy-oriented. They have accumulated a foundation of life experiences and knowledge and tend to be practical, and focus on the aspects of a lesson most useful to them in their work or home life.

Multiple Intelligences:

• Instead of one intelligence, there are many. Intelligences include (but are not limited to): linguistic, mathematical, kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, musical, spatial, and naturalist.

Examples of how theoretical principles are integrated in the program

• Everyone is encouraged to grown and develop as a person - Humanistic

• Students are allowed to choose how to demonstrate their learning (i.e. audio, video, written responses, etc.) – Multiple Intelligences

• Students read, listen, and watch instructional materials to learn – Cognitive Learning

• Students build upon prior knowledge and relate information to their own life/habits – Constructivism

• Class material is related and relevant to real-life and learners are motivated and able to apply info – Adult Learning Theory

Students observe instructor preparing menu items on video and then students prepare food items and reflect on their experiences. – Social learning theory

http://www.youtube.com/user/ChefRachel1?blend=23&ob=5#p/a/f/0/OpxTfCsM4iM

Effective program components

• Class participation – Allows students to share thoughts, ideas, and learning with classmates and learn from others

• Assignments - Students show their learning in a variety of ways.• Individual assignments• Small group assignments

• Weekly Reflections - Gives students an opportunity to think about their thinking/learning.

Program Recommendations

• The Moral theory is one theory that could be included into the program.

• Moral theory is about teaching morals and values.• Morals can be related to nutrition. Examples:

• Vegetarianism• Localism• Feeding animals corn• Humane treatment of animals used for food sources

• Recommend the use of movies like Food, Inc. to explore moral issues related to nutrition.

Food, Inc. (The movie)

• http://www.foodincmovie.com/

Conclusions of Program Analysis

• SWIHA’s online nutrition programs are based on current learning theories.

• There is evidence of following theories:

• Cognitivism

• Constructivism

• Social learning theory

• Multiple intelligences

• Adult learning theory

• Humanism

• Could consider adding moral theory to the program.

• Over all, a strong theoretical-based program

Thank you! Questions?

Concerns?

References• Albet-Matesz, R. (, June 2009). Chef Rachel's spicy peanut sauce [Video file].

Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/user/ChefRachel1?blend=23&ob=5#p/a/f/0/OpxTfCsM4iM

• Gredler, M. E. (2009). Learning and instruction: Theory into practice (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill Pearson.

• Kenner, R. (2008). Food, Inc. [Motion picture]. Los Angeles, CA: Magnolia Home Entertainment.

• Learning Theories Knowledge. (2011). Learning-Theories.com. Retrieved from http://www.learning-theories.com/.

• Martinez, M. E. (2010). Learning and cognition: The design of the mind. Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.

• Merriam, S. B. (2006). Learning in adulthood: A comprehensive guide, 3rd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons.

• Ormrod, J. E. (2008). Human learning (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Merrill Prentice Hall.

• Willingham, D. T. (2009). Why don’t students like school? A cognitive scientist answers questions about how the mind works and what it means for your classroom. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.