What's Real in Health Education

Abstract:
Student focus groups were conducted at four middle schools to determine students' concerns about health issues and health instruction. The study aimed to determine which health topic areas are of most concern to young adolescents, to gain a better understanding of the interrelationships students see among health issues, and to obtain opinions on how classroom health instruction could be improved. Students identified sex, drugs, and violence as their main health concerns, and they also discussed other health issues such as stress and relationships. Students had numerous suggestions for how classroom health instruction could be improved. For instance, the students almost universally expressed a desire to learn 'what's real,' and they felt that teachers weren't always able to give them 'real' information about drugs or sexuality. The authors note that community members and cross-age teaching can provide students with perspectives that may seem more real to young adolescents. Teachers can also capitalize on stories in the media to make health issues real and current, personalize information and make issues relevant to the lives of young adolescents, and listen to what students really want to know and where they are in relation to different health issues. Other teaching strategies include using small groups, helping students develop and practice skills, modeling healthy behavior, valuing diversity, and creating a climate of trust. Teachers and those who work with teachers may benefit particularly from the insights provided in this article.

Author(s): TANAKA, Gail; WARREN, Jerry; and TRITSCH, Leonard

Publication: Journal of Health Education (Supplement)


Date Published: 11/1/1993

Pages: 4

Location Code: 8225