Educational Strategies and Learning Principles

In Video 17 of the CHES & MCHES certification prep series, we take an in-depth look at educational strategies and learning principles. This lesson falls under Area II — Planning Health Education/Promotion, one of the core competency areas defined by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC). Whether you are preparing for your initial CHES certification or advancing to the MCHES level, mastering this content is essential for exam success and professional practice.

This video covers educational strategies and learning principles used in health education program planning. Understanding how people learn is key to selecting the right instructional methods.

Area II covers Planning Health Education and Promotion programs. This area examines your ability to develop goals, objectives, and strategies based on assessment findings. Effective planning requires understanding theory-based approaches, resource allocation, and the alignment of interventions with identified community needs.

Understanding key learning theories and principles relevant to health education is a key component of this competency area. The NCHEC expects certified health education specialists to demonstrate not only theoretical knowledge of this concept but also the ability to apply it in real-world public health scenarios. Understanding how to select appropriate educational strategies for different audiences is a key component of this competency area. The NCHEC expects certified health education specialists to demonstrate not only theoretical knowledge of this concept but also the ability to apply it in real-world public health scenarios. Understanding active vs passive learning approaches is a key component of this competency area. The NCHEC expects certified health education specialists to demonstrate not only theoretical knowledge of this concept but also the ability to apply it in real-world public health scenarios. Understanding the role of learning domains (cognitive, affective, psychomotor) is a key component of this competency area. The NCHEC expects certified health education specialists to demonstrate not only theoretical knowledge of this concept but also the ability to apply it in real-world public health scenarios. Understanding matching strategies to program objectives and learner needs is a key component of this competency area. The NCHEC expects certified health education specialists to demonstrate not only theoretical knowledge of this concept but also the ability to apply it in real-world public health scenarios.

This topic appears frequently on the CHES and MCHES certification exams. Scenario-based questions in this area often require you to identify the most appropriate course of action given a specific public health context. Pay close attention to the distinctions between similar concepts, as NCHEC exam writers frequently use closely related answer choices as distractors. Reviewing this material alongside practice questions will help reinforce your understanding and improve your test-taking confidence.

As you work through this content, consider how each concept connects to the broader health education process. The NCHEC exam blueprint emphasizes the integration of knowledge across all Areas of Responsibility. A strong candidate understands not only the individual competencies but also how assessment, planning, implementation, evaluation, advocacy, communication, leadership, and ethics work together in professional practice. Use this video lesson as a starting point, then deepen your understanding through additional study resources available at subthesis.com.