Exploring the Training Programs for Japanese Nutrition Teachers’ During Covid-19: Were They Properly Prepared?

Conference: The Asian Conference on Education (ACE2022)
Title: Exploring the Training Programs for Japanese Nutrition Teachers’ During Covid-19: Were They Properly Prepared?
Stream: Professional Training, Development & Concerns in Education
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Authors:
Wafaa Gad Abdo, Osaka University, Japan
Beverley Yamamoto, Osaka University, Japan

Abstract:
[Aim]: Teacher training programmes are considered essential to advance teachers' knowledge, skills and professional practices. In Japan, nutrition teachers perform various important duties in food guidance and school lunch management, making regular in-service training indispensable for maintaining schoolchildren's health development. This study aimed to identify how Covid-19 impacted in-service training programmes for nutrition teachers based on the viewpoints and experiences of Japanese nutrition teachers. [Method]: Thirteen face-to-face interviews were conducted with nutrition teachers in four different cities within Osaka prefecture during 2021, each lasting approximately 30 mins. Teachers were asked about their experiences and in-service training programmes during the COVID-19 pandemic.[Results]: As a result of Covid-19, official face-to-face in-service training for nutrition teachers was largely cancelled and was replaced with follow-up support through online meetings and guidelines documents. Simultaneously, unofficial online training programmes targeting nutrition teachers and requiring paid attendance were established. Participants reported that the online-based delivery method enabled them to continue gaining knowledge and information. However, the efficacy of the training was limited by their lack of familiarity with the features of online platforms during sessions to ask questions, the absence of post-session feedback channels to explain implementation challenges and their preference for group learning environments. [Conclusion]: Covid-19 measures resulted in the suspension of in-person training and changed the training environment's modality. The sudden adoption of online learning highlighted possible weaknesses in traditional nutrition teacher professional training, including a lack of ICT training skills and exposure to diverse learning environments that foster both collective and individual learning skills.

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