Project Investigator(s): Sally Willis Stewart, Director, Nutrition Education Centre, Faculty of Health and Social Development
Project Description
This proposal involves evaluating the transformative new first year health course, HEAL 100 – Introduction and Principles of Health and Well-being, implemented last fall. The positive result of this pilot project is the spark for now wanting to investigate means for broader reach of the course and to follow a cohort of students through their first 2 years of university to measure impact. Evaluating course access/delivery methods developed and implemented, health and academic outcomes, and student enjoyment and retention will be used to determine success. A long-term goal is to offer/require this course for all first year students.
Research Questions
Does a first year health course improve student health measures and resiliency? What themes emerge about course content as being important for first year students to positively impact their perceptions of well-being and academic success? What themes emerge about instructor approaches as being important for first year students’ perceptions of course enjoyment, feelings of belonging, and academic success? After two years of university have students retained the knowledge, health, and skills developed from the course? After two years of university what are average grades of students that took HEAL 100 as compared to a control group that did not take the course? Theoretical Significance: The potential contributions of this research are far reaching as it can impact student health and a variety of academic success factors, program curriculum, faculty teaching practices, and institution policy and programming. Little research, especially long term, has been done on this area and will significantly contribute to the body of literature in teaching and learning practices in higher learning institutions, specifically focusing on student health and well-being, and academic success.
Impact on teaching and learning at UBC
The outcomes of this research serve to reveal the impact of such a course on student’s overall health and academic success, thus informing UBC and other institutions to consider broader implementation. This project has the potential to set UBCO apart as a leader and example of well-being and demonstrates a “we care” attitude. Theme results around instructor approaches and course delivery will influence faculty teaching practices to create classrooms conducive to student well-being. Health is our first wealth and we have a responsibility to graduate students with health competencies to be effective change makers and leaders in our community.
Achieved Outcomes
The main findings were that there was a significant increase in student resiliency form pre to post course scores and as compared to the control group, which had no increase in resiliency.