Lesson ideas are one "google"step away!

Hi! Here’s a review of several web resources which really useful when it comes to teaching the Upper Secondary Food and Nutrition subject. So why crack your brains when lesson ideas are one "google"step away!

Foodtube.net (http://foodtube.net/)

 This is basically a compilation of food and recipe videos. I have decided to list down the pros and cons for each website for your convenience!

Pros:

A very comprehensive collection of all kinds of video recipes.

Videos are embedded from youtube, thus easy to access.

There are many categories and tags to find what you are interested in.

Cons:

Most recipe videos do not focus too much on the rationales behind cooking steps, but a mere demonstration of the methods.

Recipes could be included with pages, instead of having to search from the youtube page.

Checkout a video from the site~

Homemade Pecan Pies from Foodtube!

In general, teachers will find this website as a useful resource for lesson preparation. Many videos here could be used as demonstration videos that can be shown before the start of the practical to highlight important learning points of a dish. During lessons, the website can also be introduced to students for them to source for recipes and ideas in their coursework preparation. Of course, there are many food related videos which would also spark interest in the upper sec. students in food and nutrition. It would definitely be fun if teachers or students could screen a short video once per week for the class, to learn about specialty dishes and add on something into our dish vocabularies.

Health Promotion Board (http://www.hpb.gov.sg/HOPPortal/)

How could we miss out the Health Promotion Board Website when it comes to finding resources for Singapore Food and Health?

Pros:

All educational resources are free and downloadable.

Contains comprehensive information on food, nutrition and health under the Singapore context.

Contains up-to-date information and reports of health issues in Singapore.

Reliable and legitimate source of information.

Cons:

Less theoretical information on food science area available.

Teachers will find this website useful when it comes to online tools such as recipe analysers, food intake assessment, and food composition. These are tools which will likely be required in the coursework of upper sec. students in their research and planning. For example, students will find the recipe analyser really useful to breakdown their recipes to its nutritional contents easily, and use these information to justify and relate to the daily intake of an individual. Additionally, the website also has a section containing resources specially prepared for educators of different levels. These materials have strong elements of NE and health awareness, definitely suitable for CCE and NE lessons!

Edible Crafts (http://ediblecrafts.craftgossip.com/)

DIY Fondant daisies!

This is one of the most interesting websites on craft that one can come across. A the name suggests, there are indeed EDIBLE crafts included with the DIY information and nice illustrations.  

Pros:

Wild and interesting ideas for dish presentation and recipe ideas.

Pictures and website layout will be interesting for both teachers and students to access.

Includes theme ideas for set meals and occasions.

 Spongebob theme for food party!

Cons:

Most edible crafts may not be suitable for the nutritional aspect of planning.

Not all crafts under website are edible!

These teeth are actually a combination of apple slices and marshmallows!

Teachers will be able to use the website to inspire creativity in upper sec. students to add a spice to their food and recipe presentation methods. This is easily the best place to head to when students complain that they are out of ideas on dish presentation. In addition to that, the comprehensive guides on the edible crafts together with the simple recipes can easily be adapted into creating fun filler lessons for students.

Sien Long signing off!