Designing, Piloting, and Evaluating the Interdisciplinary Internet Module - Healthy Hearts for Intermediate Grade Children

Abstract

Two issues are prevalent today in K-6 education-- the integration of the Internet into schools, and the emphasis on guiding children to make wise and healthy lifestyle choices. These are the two themes reflected in this study. The purpose of this study was to design, pilot, and evaluate the Interdisciplinary Internet Module - Healthy Hearts (IIM-HH), an on-line four-week learning module for intermediate grade children. The module was developed to educate youngsters about cardiovascular health, and to encourage them to adopt healthy lifestyles and practice making wise health decisions. The module, delivered via the Internet, allows for interactive, self-directed student learning. It also provides intermediate grade teachers with a valuable resource for teaching important healthy lifestyle concepts, as well as a valuable resource for successful implementation of the Internet into existing curriculums.

The Module was piloted with two 5th grade classrooms (N=41) and their teachers (N=2). Qualitative findings from multiple data collection sources provided in-depth insights into the content and technical functionality of the module, and participants' recommendations for change. The formative evaluation revealed the changes that needed to be made before implementation with a large population could be successful. It also revealed that the IIM-HH has the potential to be an effective and motivational instructional unit for both students and teachers.