Food education in Finnish primary education – defining themes and learning objectives using the Delphi technique

Bibliographic Data

ID21295508
AuthorsAija L Laitinen (0000-0002-6793-2465, University of Eastern Finland, corresponding author), Tanja Tilles‐Tirkkonen (0000-0002-8268-3401, University of Eastern Finland), Leila Karhunen (0000-0001-5801-8041, University of Eastern Finland), Sanna Talvia (0000-0003-3132-2902, University of Eastern Finland)
Year2021
Volume123
Issue13
Pages404-427
Publication date2021-12-17
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueBritish Food Journal (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0007-070X • E-ISSN: 1758-4108
PublisherEmerald (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1108/bfj-02-2021-0174
OpenAlexW3203887468
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited23

Purpose The importance of food education in primary schools has been globally recognised. However, more detailed definitions of its learning objectives are rarely found. The study aimed to define multisectoral themes and learning objectives for food education in primary education in Finland. Design/methodology/approach A descriptive three-round Delphi study was conducted with experts in food education in various organisations. In the first questionnaire, the participants were asked to define possible objectives for food education related to general objectives for basic education. Respondents of the first questionnaire formed a research panel ( n = 22). These panellists were then invited to complete the second ( n = 16) and third questionnaires ( n = 12), where the objectives were further modified. Qualitative content analysis and Bloom's taxonomy were applied in the process of creating the learning objectives. Findings In the iterative process, 42 learning objectives for food education in primary schools were defined. Further, “Sustainability and ethics of food systems” was defined as the cross-cutting theme of food education. In addition, 13 subthemes were defined, which fell into three thematic categories: personal (e.g. feelings), practical (e.g. eating) and intangible (e.g. culture) issues. Originality/value The defined learning objectives for a holistic food education may be used in advancing primary school curriculum in Finland and perhaps other countries

Curriculum · Delphi method · Feeling · Focus group · Medical education · Originality · Pedagogy · Qualitative research · Social science · Sociology · Sustainability · Thematic analysis · Diverse Educational Innovations Studies · Education and Critical Thinking Development · Medicine · Psychology · Social Psychology

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Open DOIOpen Access