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Topical Area: Protocols

Protocols (Poster Session)

(P22-044-23) Development and Evaluation of the Instructional Campus on Aging Nutrition Online Course: A Study Protocol

Sunday, July 23, 2023
12:45 PM – 1:45 PM ET
Location: Poster Board 409
Disclosure(s):
Catherine S. Rudolph, MS, RD: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.


Objectives: This ongoing work aims to develop, implement, and evaluate the impact of an online course to educate Older Americans Act (OAA) Nutrition Services program staff.

Methods: The Instructional Campus on Aging Nutrition (ican!) is a theory-based online course intended to meet the training needs of OAA Nutrition Services program staff. Following Social Marketing Theory, the results of a nationwide needs assessment are guiding the development of a 10-module, asynchronous online course through collaborative partnerships. Course content will undergo readability and accessibility review. Videos, knowledge checks, visuals, and supplement resources will be incorporated to promote learner engagement. Beta testing will be completed before the course is released publicly to assess course structure, design, and usability. The Kirkpatrick Model will guide the evaluation of short- and long-term participant-based course outcomes. This framework analyzes training programs based on four levels: 1) Reaction (post-course perceptions), 2) Learning (shifts in learning measures including knowledge, skill, attitude, confidence, and commitment), 3) Behavior (changes in post-course learner behavior), 4) Results (overall course outcomes). Levels 1 and 2 will be evaluated through 3-4 knowledge-based questions embedded throughout each module, and a 20-question post-pre survey taken after module completion. Level 3 will be assessed through semi-structured interviews with a subset of participants within 3-6 months after they complete at least one module. Level 4 will utilize the entirety of collected data to evaluate course outcomes. Analysis will include descriptive statistics, general linear models, and thematic analysis.

Results: This is a study protocol pending final results.

Conclusions: Outcomes will help assess whether the ican! course is meeting the needs of the national aging network and guide future content development. Findings may also suggest best practices in the design and impact of publicly available online courses.

Funding Sources: Administration for Community Living, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services