Evaluation of a Continuing and Distance Education and Training Teleconference forPennsylvania Nutritionists

摘要

A summative evaluation assessed success of a continuing and distance educationprogram for Pennsylvania nutritionists. The program, a one day teleconference about communication was delivered by satellite television broadcast to 20 sites and 574 professionals and paraprofessionals from Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP). Pre-conference and post-conference questionnaires were given to attendees. Of these, 99% (571) and 97% (554) completed pre-conference and post-conference questionnaires. For matched analysis, 546 were used. The primary outcomes measured were attendee satisfaction and perceptions of effectiveness. Additionally, three types of learner interactions, and learner attitudes were explored. Mean satisfaction was 7.28 (S.D. 1.71, Range 2-10). Mean perceived effectiveness was 3.34 (S.D. 0.92, Range 1-5). Most participants were satisfied to very satisfied and perceived the conference as effective to more effective than face-to-face conferences. Learner perceptions of interactions with other learners, interactions with instructors, and interaction with program content, were positively related to outcomes. Perceived interaction between learner and instructor was most strongly related to satisfaction (r=0.58, p=0.0001) and perceptions of effectiveness (r=0.42, p=0.0001). Learner attitude as measured by initial expectations was also related to satisfaction (r=0.42, p=0.0001) and perceptions of effectiveness (r=0.35, p=0.0001). Those with lower expectations were less satisfied and perceived the conference as less effective. No significant differences in satisfaction or perceptions of effectiveness were found between WIC and EFBEP or professionals and paraprofessionals. (MM).