McGraw-Hill Buys Adaptive Learning Developer

McGraw-Hill Education will acquire ALEKS (Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces), a developer of adaptive learning technology for use in K-12 and higher education.

McGraw-Hill has already marketed and sold ALEKS, which is designed to determine what students don't know and what they're ready to learn in an effort to constantly adapt to their needs, for 10 years.

The acquisition marks the second move McGraw-Hill has taken this year to strengthen its personalized learning offerings and comes just six months after the company acquired an equity stake in Denmark-based Area9 Aps, who has helped them develop LearnSmart Advantage, SmartBook, and other products.

"Through our acquisition of ALEKS, we're working to grow and further develop the type of engaging, personalized experiences that we see as a central element in the future of education," said Buzz Waterhouse, president and chief executive officer of McGraw-Hill Education, in a prepared statement.

The company will continue to market and sell ALEKS as a standalone product for the time being, but plans to integrate it with its other products and platforms in the future, according to a news release about the acquisition.

"ALEKS Corporation and McGraw-Hill Education share a vision for transforming education through the most advanced technology and the highest quality content on the market," said Wil Lampros, chief executive officer at ALEKS, in a prepared statement. "Becoming part of McGraw-Hill Education will enable us to help many more students with additional resources and accelerated momentum. We're delighted to join forces with our long-term partner at this critical time for education."

For more information about ALEKS, visit aleks.com. Visit mheducation.com to learn more about McGraw-Hill Education.

About the Author

Joshua Bolkan is contributing editor for Campus Technology, THE Journal and STEAM Universe. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • AI toolbox containing a wrench, document icon, gears, and a network symbol

    Common Sense Media Releases Free AI Toolkit, AI Readiness & Implementation Guides

    Common Sense Media has developed an AI Toolkit for School Districts, available to educators free of charge, that provides guidelines and resources for implementing AI in education.

  • elementary school building with children outside, overlaid by a glowing data network and transparent graphs

    Toward a Holistic Approach to Data-Informed Decision-Making in Education

    With increasing access to data and powerful analytic tools, the temptation to reduce educational outcomes to mere numbers is strong. However, educational leadership demands a more holistic and thoughtful approach.

  • three silhouetted education technology leaders with thought bubbles containing AI-related icons

    Ed Tech Leaders Rank Generative AI as Top Tech Priority

    In a recent CoSN survey, an overwhelming majority of ed tech leaders (94%) said they see AI as having a positive impact on education. Respondents ranked generative AI as their top tech priority, with 80% reporting their districts have gen AI initiatives underway, or plan to in the current school year.

  • AI-powered individual working calmly on one side and a burnt-out person slumped over a laptop on the other

    AI's Productivity Gains Come at a Cost

    A recent academic study found that as companies adopt AI tools, they're not just streamlining workflows — they're piling on new demands. Researchers determined that "AI technostress" is driving burnout and disrupting personal lives, even as organizations hail productivity gains.