Using cooperative learning strategies to teach nutrition.

There are three ways in which student-student interaction may be organized for nutrition education. Of the three, cooperation is the only instructional strategy congruent with the goals of nutrition education. The essential elements of cooperative learning and the specific actions teachers need to take to implement it are presented. When cooperative learning is implemented effectively, long-term modifications of nutrition knowledge, attitudes and behavior result. Nutrition education classes will more successfully fulfill their purposes when cooperative learning is primarily used.