Read: 1425
The Professorship Empowers Innovative Teaching
Inspired by the legacy of education in his family, Locke Karriker never envisioned himself stepping into a classroom. Yet, he did just that – becoming not only a pig veterinarian but also an educator.
As the first recipient of the Dr. Douglas and Ann Gustafson Professorship for Teaching Excellence in Veterinary Medicine, and subsequently named a Morrill Professor at Iowa State University, Karriker has transformed from being a practitioner to fostering future veterinarians who are equipped with cutting-edge knowledge about swine production and health management across the globe.
The Gustafson Professorship serves as the catalyst that drives Karriker's initiatives. It enables him to invest in various projects including hiring postdoctoral fellows, facilitating academic growth through attance at seminars and conferences, and adapting during unexpected challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 posed a significant obstacle for veterinary students, remarks Karriker, highlighting how travel restrictions made on-site learning in swine farms impossible. This prompted him to leverage digital resources as an alternative platform for education.
Utilizing the Gustafson funds quickly allowed Karriker and his team to pivot towards online instruction and to develop an interactive learning platform powered by Moodle – a versatile educational tool that also connects with Iowa State's Center for Food Security and Public Health.
The shared resource bank includes comprehensive, swine-specific content designed for both students seeking higher education in veterinary medicine and veterinarians looking to enhance their skills. It encompasses educational videos and digital materials covering every medical technique essential for professional swine care.
Without the flexibility that these funds provide, Karriker emphasizes, the evolution of our teaching might have been delayed or confined to traditional modes.
He dedicates his Gustafson Professorship to nurturing innovative ideas that can redefine veterinary education. As he continues to guide future generations of veterinarians, Karriker remns committed to bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application in a digital age.
November 2021
X-Twitter
YouTube
Copyright ? Iowa State University of Science and Technology 2024
This article is reproduced from: https://vetmed.iastate.edu/story-v2/professorship-powers-innovative-instruction/
Please indicate when reprinting from: https://www.ub47.com/Veterinary_sow/Locke_Karriker_Research_Promotion.html
Innovative Teaching in Swine Veterinary Gustafson Professorship for Excellence Remote Learning Solutions for Vet Medicine Digital Resources in Global Education Interactive Online Platform for Veterinarians Moodle and Food Security Integration