N09012: Development and evaluation of an interactive multi media CD-ROM for the promotion of nutrition education in secondary schoolchildren

Study Duration: May 2000 to September 2002

Contractor: University of Ulster at Coleraine

The overall aim was to design, develop and evaluate an interactive CD-ROM for the promotion of nutrition education, based on Social Learning Theory, in 12 year old children across the UK.

Specifically the project aimed to:

• Gather baseline information to determine the interactive material and issues to be developed in the CD-ROM.
• Design, develop and produce a prototype CD-ROM and implement pre-testing evaluation.
• Conduct pilot testing and evaluate feedback.
• Based on the evaluation, to modify and design additional required features for the production of the CD-ROM.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention for bringing about measurable and beneficial changes in knowledge and attitudes towards a healthy diet.

Background information was collected from school principals, teachers, parents and children using focus groups and structured interviews.

The major emphasis of the material in the CD-ROM is to promote behaviour and attitude change through the Social Learning Theory approach (based on motivation, skills acquisition, personal goal setting, and self monitoring).

Pre-testing of material for the CD-ROM was carried out by 15-20 pupils.

On completion of the initial version of the CD-ROM a pilot was conducted using two schools to identify problems in delivery, acceptability and effectiveness of the material. Teachers were also interviewed. Based on this feedback there were final modifications to the CD-ROM.

The project was evaluated in a randomised and controlled trial using a combination of assessment techniques, which enabled the data to be triangulated. Ten schools were selected. Within each school ten children were selected to receive the intervention and ten acted as controls. Research into the intervention and the control groups was conducted simultaneously.