Training Details
Professional development on lesson implementation maximizes the effectiveness of the HealthSmart curriculum. ETR provides a 2-day training with a 1-day follow-up booster session—the ideal model for educators who are or will be teaching HealthSmart.
Day 1: Characteristics of Effective Health Education Curricula
HealthSmart is based on the the growing body of research that emphasizes:
- Teaching functional health information (essential knowledge)
- Shaping personal values and beliefs that support healthy behaviors
- Shaping group norms that value a healthy lifestyle
- Developing the essential health skills needed to adopt, practice and maintain health-enhancing behaviors
The first day of training focuses on understanding and applying the characteristics in lessons and assessments.
Participants review the characteristics and the research-based process for teaching critical health skills (e.g., goal setting, decision-making, communication, etc.). The major components of the HealthSmart curriculum also are introduced.
Day 1 Objectives
As a result of this learning process, participants will be able to:
- Describe the purpose of health education.
- Describe how the Characteristics of Effective Health Education Curricula were determined.
- Describe each of the Characteristics of Effective Health Education Curricula.
- Apply the Characteristics of Effective Health Education Curricula to teaching HealthSmart.
- Describe the major components of a HealthSmart lesson.
- Use the steps needed to effectively teach a health skill found in the HealthSmart lessons.
Day 2: Teaching HealthSmart
The second day of training focuses on how to effectively use the HealthSmart curriculum. Participants identify the Characteristics of Effective Health Education Curricula within a set of HealthSmart lessons. Then, working in small groups, they take part in practice teaching sessions for specific lessons (based on input from their site) and provide feedback to each other from the learners’ perspective. Participants also receive a reflection journal that will allow them to reflect on how each lesson is received by students and to document concerns and successes for each lesson.
Day 2 Objectives
As a result of this learning process, participants will be able to:
- Provide examples of 8 key Characteristics of Effective Health Education Curricula.
- Effectively teach HealthSmart lessons.
Implementation Booster Session (held 8–12 weeks after Two-Day Training)
The 1-day follow-up booster session is designed to strengthen and support implementation. Educators have an opportunity to share their successes and challenges regarding the specific lessons they’ve taught. They review how each lesson was received by students, discuss questions and challenges, and identify strategies to overcome any problems or concerns.
Note: ETR can provide consultation with key site staff to build the facilitation skills necessary to provide their own booster session at a lower cost.
