On-Line Courses in Food Safety- SPOCs and MOOC

In our modern society, food safety is a growing concern for many consumers. People want their food to be safe and are worried by the numerous, sometimes conflicting messages thrown at them. The Wageningen departments of Toxicology and Food Microbiology have teamed up in building an open course that aims to make food safety education freely available, worldwide. Elements of this MOOC are, also, used as a SPOC (small private online course); a refresher for new students, especially if they do not have a background in food sciences. Apart from these open course materials, the Laboratory of Food Microbiology at Wageningen University has built on-line course materials for the BSc level that have been used, successfully, in Singapore and Wageningen, during introductory Food Microbiology courses. Finally, a distance learning programme (www.dl-fsm.nl) has been developed on selected aspects of food safety management, targeting both students and food professionals around the world, at the BSc or MSc level, who are interested in strengthening their knowledge on, for example, sampling and monitoring, hygienic design, or preservation. On-line course materials, adapted for various target groups, are useful tools both in curriculum education and for open access for small or large groups, alike. Digital, interactive, variable learning materials can be an effective, efficient, and a persistent part of an education program. Furthermore, they can be stimulating for staff, students, professionals, and the general public.