Studies on Discriminating Ability for Food' Weight (IV) : The Effect of Experimental Teaching to Improve the Ability to Discriminate among the Weights of Food Items

Abstract

In this study, based on data accumulated in previous studies on the ability to discriminate among the weights of food items, the extent to which college students would improve this ability after study sessions was examined. Objectives of this study are to confirm the effects of this teaching and to collect data for possible introduction of the subject to elementary, junior high, and high school curricula. The results are as follows. 1. Both male and female students in the experimental group scored significantly higher than those in the control group on a test of the ability to discriminate among the weights of food items.2. Both male and female college students participating in the experiment showed considerably high interest in the subject they studied experimentally. 3. Both male and female students rather strongly supported the idea of introducing the subject to home economics classes. 4. It was found that useful food items and equipment as teaching tools should meet the following standards: 1) frequent use in everyday life, 2) consistent size and weight irrespective of the time and place they are used, 3) simple shapes, easily compared with the weight of water. It was also found that the scores on the test of weight discrimination ability, using food items and equipment which meet these standards, was comparatively higher than scores using non-standard items and equipment. 5. Further study should be conducted in such areas as in the effective teaching methods to facilitate maximum learning, and in the relationship between grade level and specific teaching areas to be introduced in this subject matter.