You will have weekly discussion board assignments this term. These discussions are meant to challenge your thinking, force an opinion or otherwise deepen your learning about theory and its applications.

For this discussion, read the two chapters (see attached) borrowed from Patricia Goodson, author of Theory in Health Promotion Research and Practice (2010), Jones & Bartlett Pub. Begin your discussion with an overview of the contents and your impressions. Next, answer these questions during your discussions:

What comes to mind when you hear the word “theory”? How have these images that come to your mind been shaped by your professional training in public health/health promotion? If that does not apply, how have other courses you’ve taken shaped your impressions about theory?
Are we currently training health educators/public health workers to think theoretically? Justify your answer and provide how we could do a better job.
What might be other valuable reasons for thinking theoretically about health promotion? Can you identify a few more not outlined in the reading?

NOTE: For all discussions, make one main post by day three (Wednesday), that answers the main questions of the discussion posed by the instructor, as well as a minimum of three follow-up posts to classmates, for a total of FOUR posts per weekly discussion. Also remember, points will be taken off for “all-in-one-day” posts! DO NOT forget to reference your posts if you retrieve information from outside sources (not just your personal opinion). DO NOT cut/paste directly from ANY source!