Pearson Acquires Interactive Learning Technology from Smart Sparrow

Deal continues Pearson's commitment to building innovative personal learning experiences

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Jan 16, 2020, 09:00 ET

HOBOKEN, N.J., Jan. 16, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Pearson, the world's learning company, today announced the acquisition of industry-leading digital learning technology from Smart Sparrow, an ed tech innovator based in Sydney, Australia. The deal values Smart Sparrow's assets at US $25 million.

The technology being acquired will enhance Pearson's current capabilities in adaptive learning significantly, and will help accelerate the roll-out of Pearson's Global Learning Platform (GLP). The GLP is an engine that enables Pearson and its partners to launch breakthrough personalized learning experiences for students more quickly and with better outcomes.

With this technology, the GLP will gain better functionality and provide enhanced user experiences. It will give authors the ability to co-design content that can be created and updated for students and instructors more expediently.

The technology also enables Pearson to improve its e-book offering and build next generation e-books that are more immersive, interactive and engaging. With this technology, Pearson aims to significantly expand and enhance its e-book catalogue, developing new functionality to differentiate its offering from others.

"This acquisition aligns with our strategy and affirms Pearson's commitment to accelerating our digital transformation for the benefit of students, educators and authors," said Tim Bozik, President of Global Product & North America Courseware, Pearson. "The Smart Sparrow technology will help build more personalized and effective learning experiences that engage students whenever and wherever they need it. We believe this has the potential to drive better learning outcomes that in turn will lead to improved employability prospects."

"Our mission has always been to inspire the next wave in digital learning through pioneering educational technology and awesome learning design," said Dror Ben-Naim, Smart Sparrow Founder and CEO. "We are proud and excited that our technology will help Pearson advance their mission on behalf of students and teachers across the globe."

Earlier this year, Pearson announced all future releases of its 1,500 active U.S. titles will be "digital first" and updated on an ongoing basis.

The acquisition is supported by findings in Pearson's Global Learner Survey that reported an expectation for digital and virtual learning to be the new normal in the next decade.

The Smart Sparrow technology allows for the creation and delivery of next-generation, rich, interactive, and adaptive learning experiences that drive engagement and create opportunities for better learner outcomes.

About Pearson

We are the world's learning company with more than 24,000 employees operating in 70 countries and a mission to help people make progress in their lives through learning. We combine world-class educational content and assessment, powered by services and technology, to enable more effective teaching and personalized learning at scale. We believe that wherever learning flourishes so do people.

Contact: Scott Overland, (202) 909-4520
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SOURCE Pearson