Iowa Virtual Literacy Initiative (IVLI) for Education and Workforce Training

Virtual Literacy to Succeed

Equipping Adults with Low Literacy for Future Work Readiness

2008 National Commission on Adult Literacy

Reach Higher, AMERICA Report

Employment needs of low-skilled workers must be met in order to remain competitive in today's global economy

For adults with low literacy skills, reading and writing is the barrier to needed education and training

As many as 38% of U.S. adults over the age of 18 (as many as 90,000,000) lack the literacy skills to be successful in the 21st century workplace. 

Iowa Virtual Literacy Initiative (IVLI)

An Iowa initiative preparing adult learners with low literacy for future work readiness

Spearheaded by the Drake University Adult Literacy Center (DUALC)

Public-private partnership

Virtual Literacy Pilots

With an objective to significantly reduce timeframes and increase completion rates, virtual literacy technology and methods are infused into employment training programs including:

GED Training certifications including the

Career Readiness Certificate

Round 1 Pilots

GED Program—Correctional Facility Career Readiness Certificate—Supported

Education Program GED Program—Community College

Round 2

Corporate training program

Customized programming created to address the literacy needs of multiple populations:

Low-skilled worker Unemployed worker Underemployed individuals Immigrant workers Incarcerated individuals Formerly incarcerated individuals Minority populations Individuals with cultural and language barriers to employment Workers with disabilities Displaced workers College students in remediation Transitioning youth Mature workers

Technology Working Models

Software

Kurzweil 3000 Read & Write Gold 9 Dragon Naturally Speaking 10 Preferred kReader PC (Beta)

Hardware

ClassMate Reader kReader Mobile

(Nokia N82)

Freeware

Natural Readers VozMe  ReadPlease  Voicethread  Dial 2DO  Scan R  Bookshare  Google Book Search Project Gutenberg

Stressing the role of workforce creation and economic stability is dependent upon an

investment in human capital and the harnessing of technology to make the most of the

opportunities and information.

—Secretary Thomas E. Perez, Maryland Department of Labor (October 2008)

 

For more information

Anne Murr, M.S.CoordinatorDrake University Adult Literacy Centeranne.murr@drake.edu515-271-3982

Linda KellyProject Managerlkconsulting@gmail.com 515-201-5158