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Abstract #147795

Terrilynn Fox Quillen, RN, MSN (c), Department of Environments for Health - Community Health Nursing, Indiana University School of Nursing, NU 457, 1111 Middle Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46202, 317-437-3627, tmquille@iupui.edu

In this study, an aggregate of 71 students in the ninth to eleventh grades in three individual health classes received classroom instruction in the Planet Health © curriculum. The standard curriculum (which highlights concepts of the U.S.D.A. pryamid) proved challenging to many of these urban, low-income students due to cultural, motivational, learning-style and/or language barriers. Principles of Positive Psychology were employed to deconstruct students' own self-limiting perceptions as barriers to academic performance. The use of analogy (simple metaphor)was chosen as a primary strategy to increase learners' recall and understanding of related schema. On the final exam, 25 out of 30 students (including 4 out of 5 students identified as learning-disabled) demonstrated correct recall of pyramid concepts taught by this method.

Persons attending this session will be able to:

* Describe the philosopy of Positive Psychology and its value as an interpersonal communication method in the classroom. * Explain the mechanism by which the use of analogy aids memory and recall of health concepts * List three simple metaphors for communicating concepts of the U.S.D.A. pyramid to students of a variety of academic skill levels, including those identified as learning disabled.

Learning Objectives:

• * Describe the philosophy of Positive Psychology and its value as an interpersonal communication method in the classroom.
• * Explain the mechanism by which the use of analogy aids memory and recall of health concepts.
• * List three simple metaphors for communicating concepts of the U.S.D.A. pyramid to students of a variety of academic skill levels, including those identified as "learning disabled."

Keywords: Public Health Education and Health Promotion, Food and Nutrition

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.