K-State Olathe faculty to lead adult learning, communication track at national veterinary conference

Friday, Oct. 5, 2018

OLATHE — Two experts in adult education at Kansas State University's Olathe campus are leading a day-long professional development track for veterinarians at the 2019 VMX Veterinary Meeting and Expo.

Judy Favor, assistant professor of adult learning and leadership, and Royce Ann Collins, associate professor and graduate program director of adult learning and leadership at K-State Olathe and Fort Leavenworth, are leading the Adult Learning Symposium.

Throughout its five modules, Collins and Favor will teach veterinarians how to better engage and communicate with adults, whom they work with in various professional capacities and roles.

"Adults learn differently than younger, more traditional students," Collins said. "Adults are working professionals who bring a wealth of experience to any learning event. They have life responsibilities and must see the applicability of new knowledge."

Each of the five modules in the Adult Learning Symposium delves into how adults learn and communicate, and how to best communicate and teach this audience. Modules are "Delivering More Impactful Presentations," "Becoming a More Emotionally Intelligent Leader," "Using Neuroscience Principles to Enhance Learning," "Interactive Techniques to Enhance Learning" and "Learning and Cognitive Styles."

Collins and Favor developed the track for the American Association of Industry Veterinarians, or AAIV — a professional organization for industry-focused veterinarians. Several members of the organization are faculty and staff at K-State Olathe.

The Adult Learning Symposium track is generating a lot of interest, said Ralph Richardson, dean and CEO of K-State Olathe, who serves on AAIV's planning committee and helped connect AAIV to faculty experts in adult learning at the campus. Initially, the adult learning track was targeted to industry veterinarians. After exploring the modules and subject matter, VMX organizers are encouraging all of the conference's speakers — regardless of occupation — to attend the Adult Learning Symposium modules as the overlying material is beneficial to any profession that interacts with adults.

VMX, formerly the North American Veterinary Conference, is Jan. 19-23, 2019, in Orlando, Florida.