ERIC Number: EJ1205777
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020
Pages: 22
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2148-9955
EISSN: N/A
An Exploratory Survey on Teaching Practices Integrating Nutrition and Mathematics in Australian Primary Schools
Follong, Berit M.; Prieto-Rodriguez, Elena; Miller, Andrew; Collins, Clare E.; Bucher, Tamara
International Journal of Research in Education and Science, v6 n1 p14-33 Win 2020
Overweight and obesity prevalence in children has increased worldwide. One factor contributing to this rise is the increase in portion sizes, with individuals potentially having difficulties with portion size estimation. Portion size estimation could be improved with portion size education involving the mathematical concepts of volume and capacity. The current study aimed to explore mathematical teaching practices related to volume and capacity measurement in Australian primary schools, with a focus on use of nutrition related examples and technology. A convenience sample of 101 teachers completed an online exploratory survey reporting information on their teaching background, experience, use of resources, digital games and curricular integration. Results indicated that the teachers surveyed favoured use of Smartboards and cubes to teach volume and capacity, and the majority reported using nutrition-related examples including household measures, recipes and grocery shopping. They also expressed having positive beliefs and interest in using digital games for teaching these concepts. Although mathematics is most commonly integrated with science and technology, the teachers surveyed indicated that a digital game integrating nutrition and mathematics could be very useful. There is potential to investigate ways to integrate portion size estimation activities within mathematics teaching practices which can be facilitated using digital games.
Descriptors: Teaching Methods, Mathematics Instruction, Nutrition, Foreign Countries, Elementary School Mathematics, Elementary School Teachers, Mathematical Concepts, Computation, Mathematics Teachers, Integrated Curriculum, Teacher Surveys, Obesity, Nutrition Instruction, Technology Uses in Education, Computer Games
International Journal of Research in Education and Science. Necmettin Erbakan University, Ahmet Kelesoglu Education Faculty, Meram, Konya 42090 Turkey. e-mail: ijresoffice@gmail.com; Web site: http://www.ijres.net
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Australia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A