Digital learning company McGraw-Hill Education, US, has signed an agreement to acquire ALEKS Corporation, the privately held developer of the ALEKS adaptive learning technology for the K-12 and higher education markets. The move strengthens McGraw-Hill Education's position as the leader in delivering personalised learning experiences through adaptive technology.
The acquisition is McGraw-Hill Education's first since it was acquired by funds affiliated with Apollo Global Management, LLC in March 2013. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The closing of the transaction is expected to occur early in the third quarter of 2013.
ALEKS uses research-based, artificial intelligence to rapidly and precisely determine each student's knowledge state, pinpointing exactly what a student knows and doesn't know. ALEKS then instructs students on the topics they're most ready to learn, constantly updating each student's knowledge state and adapting to the student's individualised learning needs. McGraw-Hill Education has marketed and sold ALEKS for math in the higher education space for more than 10 years.
McGraw-Hill Education's acquisition of ALEKS Corporation marks the company's latest initiative to bolster its offerings and capabilities in adaptive learning, an effective and increasingly popular method of education that uses technology to help educators provide personalized learning experiences. In January 2013, McGraw-Hill Education acquired an equity stake in Area9 Aps, the Denmark-based adaptive learning company. McGraw-Hill Education and Area9 have worked together to develop products such as the LearnSmart Advantage adaptive learning suite, which includes SmartBook, the world's first-ever adaptive e-book.
McGraw-Hill Education will continue to sell ALEKS as a standalone solution over the near term, but the company plans deeper integration between ALEKS and its content and digital platforms. As part of the acquisition, McGraw-Hill Education will maintain ALEKS Corporation's current offices in Irvine, Calif.
