Evaluation of computer-assisted instruction during training for school nutrition personnel

This study compared the effectiveness of two training approaches for school nutrition personnel. One used a CD-ROM device in conjunction with a traditional classroom-based course, and the second consisted of a traditional classroom-based course only. Researchers wanted to determine if both training approaches resulted in increased knowledge and other desirable changes among participants. The major goal of both the course and CD-ROM, called Nutrition and Menu Management, was to help school nutrition personnel implement the U.S. Department of Agriculture School Meals Initiative for Healthy Children. The CD-ROM consisted of five lessons including nutrition, recipe standardization, portion control, menu planning, and promoting healthy school meals. Pretest-posttest changes in knowledge, self-efficacy, perceived barriers and facilitators, and attitudes toward adoption of the School Meals Initiative were compared for school nutrition staff who did and did not use the CD-ROM in conjunction with the traditional training program. Researchers used social cognitive and diffusion of innovation theory constructs in these comparisons. Perceptions about the CD-ROM also were obtained from subjects who used the CD-ROM as part of their training. Sixty-one school nutrition personnel completed the traditional course while 52 used the CD-ROM in conjunction with the traditional course. The two groups were similar on all measures before training. Personnel who completed the traditional course scored significantly higher on posttest measures of overall knowledge and the nutrition, menu planning, and portion control sub-tests than staff who used the CD-ROM along with the classroom-based course. Results indicated that both types of training resulted in increased knowledge from pretest to posttest measures. Both groups also showed significant improvements on measures of self-efficacy, perceived barriers and facilitators, and attitudes toward adoption of the School Meals Initiative. The majority of the CD-ROM group thought the multi-media program was useful. However, 30 percent of the subjects experienced difficulties in using the computer, and that may have interfered with their learning. Future studies should examine the costeffectiveness of using computer-based training with school nutrition personnel. In addition, issues related to computer anxiety that may have an adverse effect on learning should be addressed, and personnel should be adequately trained in computer use.