Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Fort Hayes State University Opens Virtual Literacy Center

  • 11/04/19

HAYS, KS – The Department of Teacher Education at Fort Hays State University has developed and opened the Virtual Literacy Center to make the highest quality, cutting edge, scientific-based tutoring services available to the school districts in approximately 25 counties in Northwest Kansas.

Dr. Sarah Miller, assistant professor of teacher education; Dr. Beth Walizer, professor of teacher education; and Hannah Frazer, pre-service teacher/VISTA member, collaborated to develop and pilot the program with USD 407 in Russell, KS.

“In the past, Northwest Kansas has been grossly underserved simply because of logistics and the challenges of physically getting the proper help to the children who need it most,” says Miller. “However, with innovation and technology, the miles between students and tutors has been overcome.”

As literacy professors, both Miller and Walizer have watched young people who struggle with illiteracy encounter roadblocks as they seek to enter post-secondary education, the professional world, or the workforce.

“I have seen first–hand the extremely difficult struggles of children who cannot read,” says Walizer.

The Virtual Literacy Center will equip educators with the latest tools and programs to identify specific reading difficulties in children and develop custom-designed interventions and strategies to help each individual child.

All that is required to use the center is the Internet and a reliable computer with a webcam. These resources can easily be provided by a local school or public library.

If any parent, educator, administrator, or other party is interested in this program or has questions, contact Dr. Sarah Miller at 785/628-4204.

Featured

  • USC Launches Major AI Initiative After $200M Gift

    The University of Southern California in Los Angeles, Calif., recently announced that it has launched a “transformational” new AI initiative thanks to a $200M gift, according to a news release. The project will leverage AI toward breakthroughs and innovations in subjects like the health sciences, business, security, and the arts.

  • William Penn Charter School

    Richard A. Balderston OPC’69 Lower School

    Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. The Richard A. Balderston OPC’69 Lower School has been recognized with an EDS 2026 Grand Prize award in the category of New Construction.

  • Montclair State University Debuts New VR Facility

    Montclair State University in Montclair, N.J., recently announced the completion of a new virtual reality learning facility developed in partnership with Dreamscape Learn, according to a news release. The 2,450-square-foot lab space is inside the College of Communication and Media building and will serve students pursuing careers in digital media, virtual reality, and content creation.

  • University of Rochester to Break Ground on New Student Life Center

    The University of Rochester in Rochester, N.Y., recently began construction on a new Student Life building, according to a news release. The first floor will contain campus-wide gathering, program, and rehearsal space; the second floor will play home to the Greenbaum Center for Jewish Life.