December 1, 2020
College of Education colleagues present at NREA virtual conference
Three members of Kansas State University's College of Education curriculum and instruction department presented on telepresence technology in rural education at the National Forum to Advance Rural Education: 21st Century Education in Rural America hosted virtually Nov. 12 and 13 by the National Rural Education Association.
Spencer Clark, associate professor and director of the college's Rural Education Center; Lori Goodson, assistant professor and Rural Education Center assistant director; and Eileen Wertzberger, coordinator of the Office of Field Experiences, presented "Leveraging Telepresence Technology in Rural Education."
Their research presentation shared how the college used telepresence technology to bridge the access gap for a geographically place-bound out-of-state preservice teacher. A double-robot allowed the Georgia student teacher to successfully complete her clinical internship at an elementary school in Clay Center.
Additionally, the panel highlighted several Rural Education Center initiatives, many of which focus on two U.S. Department of Agriculture grants the center received, totaling nearly $600,000. The grants provide approximately 140 double robots for learning and teaching opportunities in rural school districts across Kansas.
The Rural Education Center focuses on providing opportunities to better meet the needs of rural K-12 students.