International Blended Learning In Food Safety Risk Analysis

Soundly based critical decisions on food safety should rely on the principles of risk analysis. However there is a dearth of trained risk analysis professionals worldwide. To address this deficiency JIFSAN is offering the JIFSAN International Blended Learning Program in Food Safety Risk Analysis to training centers abroad.

The overall goal of the JIFSAN International Blended Learning Program in Food Safety Risk Analysis is to provide food safety professionals within an organization or nation with the language, knowledge, and tools they need to begin to participate in domestic and international food safety risk analysis activities.  A post-training needs assessment will be conducted to determine the extent of follow-on mentoring and consulting required to assist with the establishment of risk analysis practices applied to specific problems faced by the host organization or country. 

The International Blended Learning Program in Food Safety Risk Analysis occurs in four phases. 

• Phase 0 is a technology assessment and testing, to determine optimal delivery modes for participants.

• Phase I is conducted face-to-face at the location of the host organization; JIFSAN instructors will present the Overview of Risk Analysis in a face-to-face mode on site. They will also introduce the various teaching instruments used in the on line courses.

• Phase II is conducted remotely over the Internet. using instruction that is both synchronous (real-time, live, using Centra, an internet-based platform)  and asynchronous (instruction, dialogue, and interaction occur over a fixed period of time, using WebCT, another internet-based platform). Students will take three online courses:
   
  
  • Intro to Food Safety Risk Assessment
     
  • Intro to Food Safety Risk Communication
     
    and
     
  • Intro to Food Safety Risk Management

Phase III, the needs assessment, is initiated face-to-face and completed remotely, and will provide a structured proposal for specific mentoring and consulting activities. JIFSAN personnel provide advanced training, consulting and collaboration to Program participants as they deal with real problems.