ERIC Number: EJ989112
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012-Nov
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0017-8969
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Paraprofessionals' Perceptions on Delivering Infant Feeding Lessons to Disadvantaged Mothers via a Self-Directed Computer-Supported Method
Singleterry, Lisa R.; Horodynski, Mildred A.
Health Education Journal, v71 n6 p754-762 Nov 2012
Objective: To ascertain paraprofessionals' perceptions regarding a self-directed computer-supported nutrition educational intervention to disadvantaged mothers of infants. Design: Qualitative focus group study. Setting: Three county extension programs in a Midwestern state, which serve disadvantaged families. Method: Sixteen paraprofessional nutrition educators, affiliated with Extended Food and Nutrition Programs (EFNEP), took part in three focus groups led by a facilitator following a semi-structured questioning route. Results: Three themes emerged: (1) paraprofessionals' perceptions of personal connections with learners; (2) paraprofessionals' perceptions of lesson plans; and (3) paraprofessionals' perceptions of self-directed lessons. Conclusions: Data provided exemplars of paraprofessional teaching strategies used with the disadvantaged populations they service, a recommendation to develop a blended curriculum, and insight regarding technology. A preventive nutrition education program, focusing on the reduction of childhood obesity though informed infant feeding practices, can be delivered using a combination of direct contact paraprofessional education and self-directed computer-supported lessons. (Contains 1 table.)
Descriptors: Teaching Methods, Disadvantaged, Nutrition, Infants, Nutrition Instruction, Obesity, Mothers, Focus Groups, Paraprofessional Personnel, Computer Assisted Instruction, Counties, Extension Education, Semi Structured Interviews, Prevention, Children, Blended Learning
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A

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