The NutritionSchool.ph Project is a public-private partnership between the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology and the Nestle Philippines, Inc. This is a response to national development priority towards information communication technology in bringing electronic learning opportunities on nutrition in the Philippines.
Three years ago, the innovation was conceptualized to meet the need of stakeholders who are in search for practical, fast, reliable, interesting and rewarding new approaches to learning. The school provides a convenient and effective online place of study for anyone with a personal interest in nutrition. It is also a perfect venue for professionals to brush up on current nutrition information. Students can "go on school" while maintaining privacy right at home or office.
Generally, based on the focus group discussions and evaluation conducted during its initial phase, the following areas need to be improved: navigation bar top for easier reading and background color, font size, line spacing, layout, icons and tabs, photos. It was also suggested to include featured recipes and nutrition tips, pop-out definition of technical terms, "forgot password" function, a community page, downloadable certificates, and "My Account" page so students can edit their profile.
The extension of the project for its year 4-6, will update the NutritionSchool.ph as a promotion tool for food and nutrition through content management system. It will simplify the modules for easier reading and understanding, considering the results of the evaluation in the initial phase and accredit the School as Continuing Professional Education credit unit provider for nutritionist-dietitians and other nutrition-related or health courses. Further, it will include an evaluation of the School with its revised and simplified modules. The evaluation will two components. One will be in terms of physical attributes such as accessibility, content, attractiveness, and infrastructure development, while the other is on the knowledge gained and the applicability of the website in terms of creating positive attitude and practice among students.
The School will still be based on basic and current food and nutrition topics, and FNRI's research-generated data. The updated six (6) modules of the school will still be Basic Nutrition, Nutrition in the Life Cycle, Nutrition and Disease, Foods, Meal Management, and State of Nutrition in the Philippines.
The NutritionSchool.ph Project will strive to be more user-friendly, accessible, affordable and equitable so that e-Learning will flourish and better nutrition education may help achieve optimum nutrition for all.
