A two-year pilot project is making technical education available in high schools in six counties utilizing virtual technology.

The Washburn Institute of Technology, an academic unit of Washburn University, is offering the Virtual Technical College Initiative in counties that previously partnered with Washburn for the Rural Law program.

High schools in Ellis, Logan, Mitchell, Osborne, Ottawa and Sherman counties are using video conferencing, augmented reality, and virtual reality technologies, which were provided to the schools through grant funding. Washburn Tech trained personnel on site at each school to operate video conferencing technology that allows students to interact live with a Washburn Tech professor.

Onsite personnel operate virtual and augmented reality technology, which is utilized to teach healthcare, and other courses, including basic electricity, are being developed.

This program introduces students to technical education and may increase enrollment at North Central Kansas Technical College and Northwest Technical College.