Search This Blog

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Rules of Epidemics

When looking at Gladwell's 3 rules of epidemics I feel a strong connection to what I teach with all three.  Health education is all about making good/better decisions.  Most every decision we make will impact our health one way or another, and those decisions we make often times have many external influences.

The Law of the Few really comes into play when thinking about peer pressure.  Peer pressure does not have to be the outwardly obvious "DRINK, DRINK, DRINK" that often first comes to mind.  We all feel peer pressure even when no words are spoken.  Teenagers may feel this even more intensely.  The Connectors; those with the most acquaintances can influence more than the latest trend in fashion to take hold; they can influence both positive and negative health behaviors and choices as well.   If they jump on board with something, inevitably others will follow.   The Mavens are looking out for others.  The Mavens listen, ask questions, and dissect the information.  I feel I am a Maven in my content area and that I also have Mavens in my classes.  These students seek the personal connections to content even when it is not plainly obvious.  These students help others to see the benefits of good choices.  The Salesmen in my classes can have both a positive and negative effect as well.  A Salesmen, regardless of their knowledge of the content can persuade others to agree with their beliefs.  This is helpful when they align with the messages we are trying to send in health education.

The Stickiness Factor also plays in quite easily when it comes to teaching health.  My goal is to assist students in identifying a personal connection to the content.  Whether it be themselves, a family member, or a friend, I attempt to get the students to see the impact the decisions they make have on their current health and their futures.  By emphasizing the personal connection with stories (my own and those of classmates) the students can identify with the practical nature of the message and buy into it.

The Law of Context also plays a significant role and supports the scaffolding of the content we teach through the different grades.  The decisions to teach specific content and to what depth are deeply based on the Law of Context.  If the current mental state of the population is not prepared for the message, the message will fail.  If the students cannot identify with the message, they will not get the full benefit of the information that's being presented.  Whether it be discussions around safe sex, budgeting, driving safety, or drug use; if the students do not have a point of context for the information, if they cannot make some personal connection to that information, it will not be conveyed successfully.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Introduction

Hi Everyone,

I teach Health and Family Consumer Sciences (aka Home Ec.).  I enjoy teaching things to the kids that they feel are relevant to their lives right now.   My husband James (also a teacher) and I have been together for 15 years and married for 5.  We have two little boys, Keating who's 3 1/2 and Quinten who's 10 months.   I would say running is my favorite way to keep active.  I just signed up for my second half marathon; the race is May 1st so training starts soon!  I love to bake and try out new recipes.  I have a definite sweet tooth, so I never mind trying out my test-bakes and the running helps to keep the sweets from weighing me down!