P10: Impact of Using the Internet to Share Local Solutions to Global Issues

Abstract

It is well documented a nutritious diet can help reduce the incidence of various illnesses and chronic conditions. With decreasing nutrition education budgets at all levels, it is important to leverage our efforts for maximum outreach and effectiveness. The purpose of this project was to evaluate and quantify the potential helpfulness and time-savings to other educators by using the Internet to share successful local program materials. Four nutrition PowerPoint lesson presentations were shared with other educators via a Web site. During the first five months on the Web, 12,034 downloads were recorded; 613 individuals (about 5 percent of the total number of downloads) completed and returned a Web survey after downloading the PowerPoint. These 613 responses indicated a minimum savings of 8,462 hours of PowerPoint development time (equivalent to about four years, based on fifty 40-hour weeks/year or an average of 13.8 hours per individual response). As this represented only a segment of potential users, total hours saved could be much higher. Though it wasn't possible to collect data on the overall number of people taught by using these materials, the total outreach was likely multiplied many times through sharing. Comments indicated educators both saved development time that could be spent helping clientele in other ways and were prepared to give programs that otherwise might not have been given. Other educators are encouraged to use the Internet to share successful local programs for potential global impact. This project was funded by regular office operating funds.