In anticipation of National Nutrition Month (NNM) 2022 which has a culturally diverse theme of Celebrate a World of Flavors, I’m sharing a previous post below with info and links for an engaging and informative activity or assignment that explores food-based guidelines from around the globe.  Its also the featured "Bring It Home" activity for Chapter 14 in the text and in online resources.  Be sure to check out all the NNM resources available to you at the Academy’s website.  What are some ways you might take your likely diverse group of students on a journey to a variety of cultures, flavors, and food practices?   Please share your ideas here with “Reply” or email me at jpopenutrition@gmail.com.   In discussing food practices and influences as well as dietary guidelines around the globe, I posted an assignment for students to visit the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations to access a listing of countries from around the world with their corresponding Food-based Dietary Guidelines and graphics. More than 100 countries worldwide have developed food-based dietary guidelines that are adapted to their nutrition situation, food availability, culinary cultures and eating habits. Students were to choose one country from the listing, review the information regarding that country's guidelines with special note of the section "Messages". They were to summarize the key messages and to compare to what we'd covered about the DGA - taking note of common recommendations, but unique cultural or cuisine aspects. A fun resource!   Check out Ecuador's Food Guide wooden spoon graphic below!    ... View more

Where do you get answers for your health and nutrition questions?   Surveys show that almost 90% of respondents initially turn to online resources and websites – usually found through a popular search engine like Google.   The number of results and links can certainly be daunting, but more so which sites you can trust to provide credible, up to date, and evidence backed information.   Nutrition related information and claims on the web is abundant and quite frankly, overwhelming.   So how do you know what info to trust?  This is a question often asked by students – many future health professionals – and one that I hope they leave a nutrition course better equipped to evaluate.  Chapter 1 in our text addresses how and where to find credible sources of nutrition information and provides an activity that engages students in evaluating results from an internet search.  I was interested in this bulletin from the National Center for Complimentary and Integrative Medicine that provided guidance for how to evaluate accuracy of online health information.   Along with other helpful advice on social media and health apps, they suggest asking these five questions about online sources – a good place to start and a good basis for a class discussion.        Who runs or created the site? Can you trust them?     What is the site promising or offering? Do its claims seem too good to be true?     When was the information written or reviewed? Is it up to date?     Where does the information come from? Is it based on scientific research?     Why does the site exist? Is it selling something?   ... View more

Over the past twenty plus years I’ve had the honor – and challenge – of stepping in front of a new group of faces 43 times for the first day of the semester.   Recently online.    My classes have tended to be large ones averaging 150 or more students from diverse majors and backgrounds that have chosen to take introductory nutrition often as an elective.   My goal for this first interaction is not only to introduce myself and the course, but to ignite their interest and excitement about what they will learn during the semester.  Here are some thoughts and ideas – please share your strategies for Day One using the Reply button below!   1.  Project a recent nutrition news story on the screen as students arrive.  For example, a recent study in JAMA found that kids and teens consume almost 70% of their calories from ultra-processed foods.  This catches attention and demonstrates relevance while also raising questions that taking the course can help address….You can also do this in synchronous online lectures by including or posting on the screen as students join.    2.  I stopped going through the syllabus word by word electing to highlight important takeaways and expectations and encouraging them to read the syllabus as a contract and that by enrolling they are agreeing to the terms.   For the past several years, I have recorded a video that does walk through the syllabus in more detail and post it along with the print version on the course LMS page.   This saves me some precious class time and is also helpful for students that might enroll after the first day of class.   3. After welcoming them and introducing myself, usually sharing what brought me into the field of nutrition along with a bit about myself professionally and personally, I’ve often opened the class with a short video.  While several years old, “Time Travel Dietitian” breaks the ice and illustrates the evolving (and often confusing) science of nutrition.   While they misspell as "dietician" and not all "facts" are quite right - it also allows opportunity to comment on the abundance of misconceptions in nutrition.   You might have seen it and use it, but if not, you'll get a chuckle! 4.  Because of the class size, to begin getting acquainted I have used a series of polling questions and have generated bar graphs or word clouds with answers – why they are taking the class, majors, where from, favorite food, etc.….   I’ve also asked students to name a food they consider “healthy” and one they consider “unhealthy” (provides some humorous answers from a big group and gives me an opportunity to let them know that all foods can have a place in an overall healthy diet!).  5. If time permits after some opening engagement content, course orientation, and addressing questions, I’ve used some highlights from recent surveys as a sort of state of nutrition.   The International Food and Information Council’s annual Food and Health Survey can provide relevant statistics about perceptions and practices surrounding food choice – I’ve sometimes posed the same question from the survey to the class as a polling question and then show the IFIC survey results for the nation.   Also see my last post about food trends for 2022 - that might generate good discussion as well!    Just a few ideas - every semester is a bit different!   Here is a First Day of Class resource from my university's Center for Teaching.  What is your approach for the first day of class?! ... View more

SO excited that the new digital update of our textbook, Nutrition for a Changing World, is now available!!  My co-author, Steve Nizielski, and I went through every chapter and spotlight to assure any warranted changes to reflect the newest edition of the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans were incorporated, plus updates in survey data, statistics, studies, and infographics.  And maybe most exciting is the offering is available through Macmillan Learning's breakthrough online platform ACHIEVE.  If you love Launchpad you'll love the new features and functionalities in Achieve.   Why not schedule a personal demo to get acquainted with all Achieve for nutrition has to offer!    You'll also be to see the new auto-graded AnalyzeMyDiet activities that are now further enhanced based on feedback from instructors and students.  Happy new year!  Jamie ... View more

The Faculty Coffee Chat opened with a review of the Macmillan Teaching and Learning Nutrition Community. The authors post regularly with teaching tips and resources relevant to introductory nutrition along with updates on nutrition news and research. Nutrition faculty can visit Macmillan Learning Nutrition Community to access an array of resources and references. Attendees were shown a sampling of posts in the Nutrition Community including where to find resources and links for the new 2020 edition of the Dietary Guidelines as well as ideas for assignments, projects, and handouts.   Visit the Nutrition Community regularly for new posts!    Nancy Bradshaw, Macmillan Marketing Manager, gave a brief demo of the exciting new online platform ACHIEVE with features and functionalities that reflect feedback from instructors and students and built off Learning Science. ACHIEVE will be available for adoption for Spring 2022 semester. There are some great new features: Instructors can now select a fully pre-curated course (still editable) that provides a pre-built course framework or can build their own. Includes an eBook that can be highlighted and even read aloud! It also has an improved notetaking option that can be saved in a virtual notebook. The Real-World Nutrition activities have been re-envisioned and are now aligned with each chapter and spotlight!    iClicker is integrated with Achieve and students get it free! You can schedule a personal demo of Achieve to learn more at https://go.oncehub.com/AchieveDemos (scroll down to Nutrition) The new Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025 and Digital Update version of the Nutrition for a Changing World 2e is available for use in Spring classes in January 2022! Jamie and Steve shared that they went through each chapter and spotlight for warranted updates related to the DGA as well as identifying and updating pertinent statistics, survey data, and infographics. This link provides an overview as well as how to find your publisher representative to learn more or acquire a review copy.   Scientific American Nutrition for a Changing World: Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025 & Digital Update  ... View more

As I think back over my 20 plus years of teaching introductory nutrition - usually to classes of 200 or more - the times we laughed together stand out.  Sometimes it was something I inadvertently said or did (some too embarrassing to share here!) or something a student shared (for example when asked about their childhood food "jags" one student share that his mom had to peel his hotdogs) or a humorous video that illustrated or added levity to a point or topic.  I loved seeing my students arrive in the classroom with a smile on their face - and to help maintain that smile.   I tried to not take myself too seriously, smile often (which isn't hard for me 😊), and tried to create a welcoming and warm environment to let my students know I loved and honored the privilege of teaching.  Humor not only engages students, but can reinforce learning and relationship.   I enjoyed the ideas shared by instructors and researchers in this Faculty Focus Live Podcast Creating Pockets of Joy, Humor, and Positivity in Your Face-to-Face and Online Class.  Would love to hear ways you make your students smile!   Use Reply below to let us know!   ... View more

Here's a recap with topics discussed and links from the informative and interactive Faculty Chat on September 22! Opened with introductions of attendees and authors.   Polled attendees regarding whether teaching face-to-face, online, or hybrid.   More than half teaching online this semester.   Class sizes ranged from under 50 to over 200. Update about DGA and Media Update as well as Achieve (Macmillan's next-generation online learning system!).  Demo of Achieve including a curated version of the nutrition course will be available after October 1 and Achieve will be live in December in time for Spring semester.   Macmillan will help….Here is a link to FAQs and to find your book representative to schedule a demonstration.   Nutrition for a Changing World Media Update will include updates across the textbook, slides, and digital content regarding the new DGA as well as updates in stats, figures, and research.  In the interim, instructors can access resources about the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) in both Launchpad and the Nutrition Community.   In Launchpad can locate DGA resources on your course page.   Scroll down past chapters and you’ll see “Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025”.   The resources are hidden for students but can be accessed and downloaded by instructors for use and integration in to their courses.   Also available in the Nutrition Community.   Showed how to find Nutrition Community from the main Macmillan Teaching Learning page https://community.macmillanlearning.com/t5/macmillan-community/ct-p/college by clicking on the three lines in the upper left corner of the Macmillan Teaching Learning page and scrolling down to “Nutrition”.   Direct link here: https://community.macmillanlearning.com/t5/nutrition-community/gh-p/Nutrition-open-group    The authors post often with teaching tips, resources, and nutrition news.   Excellent resource with helpful tools and resources for nutrition faculty.   Regarding DGA resources in the Nutrition Community, can search “dietary guidelines” to locate recent post with resources.   These include two slide presentations that can be integrated into lecture slides or used alone – as well as a Voice Over PPTX.   Here is a link to post with DGA resources. Discussion around how instructors present the DGA in their classes.   Several faculty on the call shared their approaches as well as challenges.    Jamie teaches Chapter 2 that addresses the DGA (as well as food labeling) after covering other chapters in 1-9 (including the macro and micronutrients) so students have stronger foundation and context.  She would be happy to share her approach and syllabus with course schedule - email jamie.pope@vanderbilt.edu   Jamie shared a resource and assignment she uses where students explore food-based guidelines from around the globe and contrast to the US DGA.    http://www.fao.org/nutrition/education/food-dietary-guidelines/home/en/   Here is a link to where this assignment was discussed in a Nutrition Community post https://community.macmillanlearning.com/t5/nutrition-forum/food-based-guidelines-from-around-the-globe/m-p/12941 Steve introduced and shared ways to stay abreast of new nutrition research and news.   Link to post about sources of Nutrition News in Nutrition Community https://community.macmillanlearning.com/t5/nutrition-forum/nutrition-news-sources-for-faculty-and-students-where-do-you/m-p/15272 ... View more

Last winter semester I successfully used a team based learning (TBL) approach in all the classes that I taught. TBL is a structured form of small group learning that holds students accountable for pre-class preparation, and provides students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and concepts, to think critically, and make group decisions. This approach can be effectively implemented in both large and small classes, and numerous studies demonstrate that TBL achieves better learning outcomes than individual learning.  The key elements of TBL are: 1) Students complete an individual readiness assessment quiz at the start of class, 2) they then collaborate within their assigned groups to complete the same quiz with immediate feedback being provided by "scratch-off" answer cards (IF-AT), 3) Students then work in their groups to complete a significant and challenging exercise, 4) Group solutions/conclusions are then discussed by the class, 5) Frequent and formal assessment of individual team member contributions is essential, and 6) Mini-lectures are used to clarify misconceptions and concepts that students struggled with. While a whole class period can be devoted to these activities, I used this approach once during each class period to address specific concepts and problems. Examples of a few activities that I used are: 1) Propose a set of community-based public health strategies to reduce the risk of obesity in the population, 2) Diagram how an increase in protein intake will increase urea production, 3) Diagram how dietary lipids are delivered to the liver. More detailed information (including team formation and peer evaluation) can be found in the links below. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions: nizielss@gvsu.edu. Steve Team Based Learning Collaborative Team-based learning: design, facilitation and participation Team-based learning at Vanderbilt University Center for Teaching ... View more

Several years ago, I attended a workshop on approaches for educational Power Point presentations. I was intrigued and impressed by examples and the pedagogy behind the “Assertion-Evidence” approach. Rather than a topic heading on the slide, this format uses an assertion statement to make a point – and builds a presentation around messages rather than topics. The assertion is a statement or sentence that expresses the primary focus or takeaway from that slide. For example, rather than a topic heading that says, “Blood Glucose Regulation”, the assertion would be “Blood glucose levels are maintained through the actions of pancreatic hormones”. The “evidence” would be bullet points, a visual image, or infographic that supports the assertion. The assertion does not need to be repeated in the body of the slide. For my own classes and as part of my textbook instructor resources for Nutrition for a Changing World, I adapted the “normal” (and good!) slides to incorporate the Assertion-Evidence approach as an alternative. Thus, as currently found in Launchpad instructor resources, educators have the choice of topic-based slides or Assertion-Evidence (these are currently titled for each chapter or spotlight with my name as “jamiepope_lectureslides_ncw2e….”). Both can be adapted and edited to meet individual instructor’s style and learning goals. Here are a couple of links with more information about the Assertion-Evidence approach. I’d also be happy to share an example via email if you’d reach out to me at jamie.pope@vanderbilt.edu. Best! https://www.assertion-evidence.com/ https://speakingaboutpresenting.com/design/makeover-bullet-point-slide/ ... View more

Over the past twenty plus years I’ve had the honor – and challenge – of stepping in front of a new group of faces 43 times for the first day of the semester.   Just the last two online.    My classes have tended to be large ones averaging 150 or more students from diverse majors and backgrounds that have chosen to take introductory nutrition often as an elective.   My goal for this first interaction is not only to introduce myself and the course, but to ignite their interest and excitement about what they will learn during the semester.  Here are some thoughts and ideas – please share your strategies for Day One using the Reply button below!   1.  Project a recent nutrition news story on the screen as students arrive.  For example, a recent study in JAMA found that kids and teens consume almost 70% of their calories from ultra-processed foods.  This catches attention and demonstrates relevance while also raising questions that taking the course can help address…. 2.  I stopped going through the syllabus word by word electing to highlight important takeaways and expectations and encouraging them to read the syllabus as a contract and that by enrolling they are agreeing to the terms.   For the past several years, I have recorded a video that does walk through the syllabus in more detail and post it along with the print version on the course LMS page.   This saves me some precious class time and is also helpful for students that might enroll after the first day of class. 3. After welcoming them and introducing myself, usually sharing what brought me into the field of nutrition along with a bit about myself professionally and personally, I’ve often opened the class with a short video.  While several years old, “Time Travel Dietitian” breaks the ice and illustrates the evolving (and often confusing) science of nutrition.   While they misspell as "dietician" and not all "facts" are quite right - it also allows opportunity to comment on the abundance of misconceptions in nutrition.   You might have seen it and use it, but if not, you'll get a chuckle! 4.  Because of the class size, to begin getting acquainted I have used a series of polling questions and have generated bar graphs or word clouds with answers – why they are taking the class, majors, where from, favorite food, etc.….   I’ve also asked students to name a food they consider “healthy” and one they consider “unhealthy” (provides some humorous answers from a big group and gives me an opportunity to let them know that all foods can have a place in an overall healthy diet!).  5. If time permits after some opening engagement content, course orientation, and addressing questions, I’ve used some highlights from recent surveys as a sort of state of nutrition.   The International Food and Information Council’s annual Food and Health Survey can provide relevant statistics about perceptions and practices surrounding food choice – I’ve sometimes posed the same question from the survey to the class as a polling question and then show the IFIC survey results for the nation.   Just a few ideas - every semester is a bit different!   Here is a First Day of Class resource from my university's Center for Teaching.  What is your approach for the first day of class?! ... View more

This fall we'll be introducing the new 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines to our students as an update to the 2015 edition.  With this in mind, I adapted and expanded upon "The Top Ten Things to Know about the 2020-2025 DGA" resource into 27 slides. I've provided the link to the slides as well as a 15 minute narrated version (done on my home computer - but generic).  Seemed a good way to address what's new in approach in the newest DGA edition.   In addition, using the 4 Overarching Guidelines as the focus with highlights from the 148-page Dietary Guidelines pdf, I put together a 40 slide presentation (no narrated version).   Below are the links - feel free to download, adapt for your classes, incorporate into your slide presentations, and use!   For those of you that use Launchpad for Nutrition for a Changing World, these resources are also included there.  The media update for the text that reflects the new DGA throughout (particularly chapter 2) as well as updates in statistics, trends, and research - as well as slides and related resources - will be available later this fall for Spring courses.  In the meantime, I hope these resources are helpful - and do feel free to reach out if you need further support to me at jamie.pope@vanderbilt.edu (PS - Happy to do a guest Zoom mini-lecture on the new DGAs for your class!)    Best, Jamie 2020 DGA Top Ten Things to Know slides  https://vanderbilt.box.com/s/yrcuxx76sm495k6rencajblbcyp0kf1g  2020 DGA Top Ten Things to Know slides 15 min narrated by Jamie PPTX https://vanderbilt.box.com/s/fz79rdrjjcxo4t48rnfnt5u6yrj8iudw  2020 DGA Four Overarching Guidelines slides https://vanderbilt.box.com/s/7kexwym35j1mx6fmpid1xdnxn1i038sf   ... View more

I am sure you were asked this question in elementary or even higher grades the first day or week of school.   A great opportunity to learn more about classmates and even experiences and destinations.   I've just returned - and recovering - from a week in Orlando with my family squeezing in all the parks - and I mean, all the parks - Seaworld, Universal, and the Disney parks.   I was struck while sipping a beer in Germany (Epcot) just how many higher ed disciplines were represented in some way across all the parks -  just as examples:  architecture and design (my daughter is in architectural grad school so was fun to see all the representations across countries and the designs of futuristic and whimsical attractions); management (just how do they do it?), and history (bummed that the Hall of Presidents was closed as they add our newest president).   As for nutrition, I loved the opportunity to sample cuisines in Epcot and noted that all the parks seemed to make an effort at providing plant-based options and "healthier" alternatives.   I noticed the Disney Check icon on menu boards and learned that they've recently established Disney Nutrition Guidelines Criteria to promote vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and lean protein items.   An interesting and relevant activity would be to have students explore and discuss the criteria - and how they feel the use of icons might influence consumer behavior and under what circumstances.    What did you do on YOUR summer vacation and how might you share your experiences and observations to generate discussion and input from your students?    ... View more

Having taught for more than 20 years, I recall faculty meetings and department policies that grappled with the issue of laptops in the classroom – facing a room of over 200 students with many faces looking at their screens rather than at me or my visuals – and little idea of what they were looking at or whether they were listening at all.   While there remains a sprinkling of open laptops in face-to-face classes, the not so new challenge is the always handy and not quite so visible Smartphone.   A challenge that can be turned into a teaching and learning asset both in and outside of a face-to-face class.   We’re all familiar with the application and integration of mobile phones as student polling and assessment devices – like Macmillan’s adaptable and effective iClicker.   I’ve used a variety of polling approaches over the years to guide lectures, assess learning, and enhance engagement.  I also expose students to applicable online websites or resources as part of my classes, but rather than just showing them, I have students look things up or visit websites on their phones with a particular goal or question in mind - often followed by a polling question that reflects if they actually engaged with the material.   I’ve opened some classes by asking students to “google” a specific topic and then to look at relevant news stories.   For example, to open a class on obesity its interesting what’s being reported about prevalence, causes, implications, and interventions.   I have students share headlines and then often ask them if the news article referenced a new study.   I’ve also had students use their phones to complete certain online health risk assessments for themselves or a scenario I provide.   This provides context and can generate discussion.  These are only a few ideas!   Please share your approaches and thoughts with your colleagues by clicking on “Reply” below.   Also, I found this recent article from Faculty Focus of interest with tips on how you might suggest students use their Smartphones as an effective study tool outside of class time.  For example, to encourage students to take advantage of tiny time slots to read course content throughout the week allowing more time to digest the information.  A good read!   Best!   Jamie ... View more

Just listened to a podcast on Dr. Barbi Honeycutt's website (Teach Learn Create) entitled The Reflective Professor:  How  One Professor Stays Curious, Keeps Learning, and Improves His Teaching with Dr. Carlos Goller.  Barbi, a teaching and learning consultant, interviewed him about ways he reflects on assignments and active learning in his classes (a microbiologist) to engage students and continually improve and expand - and reflect.  They discuss "throw away assignments" - those that exist for a semester in the LMS and how to take them beyond the parameters of a LMS.   I began documenting activities I created within my LMS so that I'd have easy access for future use and adaption - and a way to consider how better to frame and offer these activities and even retain and share some of the marvelous work my students submitted across semesters.   The website offers numerous free podcasts that are pertinent to becoming better educators and helping students thrive in diverse learning environments.   Summer is a great time to up our game!   Please share any resources, podcasts, or ideas that you've found by clicking on the "Reply" button below.   Would love your input!   Jamie   ... View more

I'm always amazed how quickly the 14 plus weeks of the semester seem to go by.   At the end of this 43rd semester teaching introductory nutrition to undergraduates, I ask myself if they've been equipped to navigate the evolving and often confusing arena of nutrition.  My university does not have a nutrition major and thus this is the only nutrition course most will ever take.  The goal was not to create nutrition "experts", but to ignite their interest, expose them to the many facets of nutrition,  acquaint them with credible sources of information to which they might return, and to heighten their nutrition literacy.   It is my hope that they are better able to evaluate what they read and hear about nutrition through a discerning lens.  I also seek to "free" them from dogmatic thinking and behavior around food.   I have often thought back on the art appreciation and music appreciation courses I took in college - I never went to a gallery or a concert the same way again - I developed an appreciation for the fundamentals of these arts as well as the talent and nuances of artists and musicians.   Intro nutrition is in a sense a nutrition appreciation course - intended to develop an understanding and cultivate appreciation for the complex and changing field of nutrition.   And for the nutrition professionals that may cross their paths personally or professionally.   Best to all!    ... View more