Welcome to the University of Southern Indiana’s Literacy Center, located in Rice Library and operated through the Teacher Education Program. The Literacy Center provides services, resources, and hands-on learning opportunities to support reading instruction and literacy development. We invite educators, students, and families to explore our collection of instructional materials (available for use onsite or to check out), participate in tutoring and courses held throughout the year, and learn more about our innovative Screagle Classroom Simulation Station. If you have questions or would like to get involved, please contact our Reading Coordinator. For more information about USI’s Teacher Education program, visit USI.edu/teachered.
Mission Statement
The USI Literacy Center advances literacy by supporting students, faculty, staff, and the broader community through educational resources, instructional support, and research grounded in the Science of Reading.
The Science of Reading
The Science of Reading refers to a body of interdisciplinary research from education, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, and neuroscience that explains how people learn to read and identifies the most effective methods for reading instruction. Decades of studies on reading have shown that structured, explicit, and systematic approaches best support all learners, including those with reading difficulties such as dyslexia. This research highlights five essential components of reading instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
Educational Resources
The Literacy Center supports USI students—especially pre-service teachers—as well as the broader community by providing access to literacy resources and learning opportunities. Available resources include:
- Instructional tools to strengthen early literacy teaching practice (available onsite in Rice Library).
- Virtual resources to enhance learning and instruction in the field of literacy.
- Test preparation support, including a Praxis Teaching Reading (5205) preparation course.
- Hands-on training opportunities designed to build the skills of pre-service teachers.
- Tutoring opportunities for students in the local community.
Instructional Support
The USI Literacy Center provides instructional support to USI faculty. Resources include high-quality instructional materials, virtual tools such as the Screagle Classroom Simulation Station and GoReact, and professional development opportunities in the Science of Reading. Faculty and students are welcome to contact or schedule a meeting with the Reading Coordinator for assistance with these tools and for support in sourcing high-quality instructional materials.
- High-quality instructional materials are evidence-based curricula and textbooks that are aligned with the Science of Reading and Indiana Academic Standards and avoid disproven practices.
- Screagle Classroom Simulation is a virtual tool that allows USI students to practice teaching and parent–teacher conference interactions with virtual avatars operated by trained specialists. The program simulates a classroom environment to prepare students for real-life instructional and professional interactions. The Screagle Classroom Simulation Station, located in the USI Literacy Center, provides a private space for USI students to engage with this program.
- GoReact is a video-based feedback platform that supports reflection and skill development. USI students can record lessons or presentations and upload them through Blackboard, where faculty and peers provide time-stamped comments to guide growth and improvement.
Research
Research is a central component of the Science of Reading. The USI Literacy Center hosts a Special Interest Group (SIG) in Literacy and Language Research to promote ongoing inquiry and collaboration in this field. The group offers opportunities to share ideas, discuss current studies, and build partnerships among faculty, students, and community members. If you are interested in joining or would like to learn more, please contact the Reading Coordinator.