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Web-based food safety training |
E. A. E. BOYLE, Dept. of Animal Sciences & Industry, Kansas State Univ., 251 Weber Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506 Providing web-based undergraduate and graduate level food safety distance learning opportunities allows for life-long learning regardless of a students location or time restraints. Major increases are occurring in the number of universities offering distance courses, the number of courses available, certificate programs and degree programs, and the number of students taking distance courses at a national level. A web-based distance learning HACCP course was developed at Kansas State University as part of the distance food science curriculum. Some of the guiding principles that formed the foundation for developing food safety distance education included providing an educational experience consistent with the high academic standards of the University; supporting distance courses with high-quality, easily accessible student services; having the commitment from the University to support all facets of the process, including curricular and administrative policies, faculty development, incentives and financial investment; developing courses that target the University's strengths and serve the core mission of the University, in addition to being complementary, rather than competitive, with on-campus programs; and provide appropriate real-time and/or delayed student-student and instructor-student interaction. The World Wide Web through KSU On-Line, computer conferencing (asynchronous conferencing with the teacher and students via listserv, threaded message board and e-mail), guided independent study (materials available in print) and video were the media used for HACCP course delivery. A short review in the form of a web-based quiz was available for each section of the course. Students were also provided with a web site containing supplementary support material with links to other relevant web sites.
Session 24, Communicating food safety: To the public, students and food handlers
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