Classwell Acquires Expeditionary Learning Provider
On April 10, Classwell Learning Group, a provider of e-learning solutions for the pre-K-12 market, announced it had acquired GlobaLearn, an online curriculum provider that facilitates expeditionary learning. GlobaLearn produces K-12 language arts and social studies activities, including Expedition, lesson plans and student activities on regions of the world. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. www.classwell.com
Haskell, Charter Schools USA Become Partners
Haskell Education Services, a design and construction company for pre-K-12 schools, and Charter Schools USA, a K-12 charter school management company, announced a partnership on April 4. Under the terms of the agreement, Haskell will provide design, financial, and auxiliary services to schools managed by Charter Schools USA. Charter Schools USA will provide management services to schools co-developed by the two companies. www.charterschoolsusa.com / www.thehaskellco.com
Internet Improves Quality of Education, Teachers Say
An April 9 NetDay report on the integration of the Internet in the classroom, which surveyed 600 public and private school teachers across the United States, found 84 percent of the teachers surveyed believe computers and the Internet can improve the quality of education. However, two-thirds also believe the Internet is not currently well-integrated into classrooms.
Forty-eight percent of teachers responding to the survey said that, over the last two years, the Internet has become an important tool for teaching–but half or more use the Internet for less than 30 minutes a day at school. The study found the majority of teachers see the Internet mainly as a research tool, and only 26 percent of teachers say they use it in learning activities. www.netday.org
Plato’s Courseware and Tests Will Serve ETS
Plato Learning, Inc. a provider of computer and Web-based instruction, and Educational Testing Service (ETS), an educational testing and research company, announced a partnership on April 11. Under the terms of the agreement, Plato’s Courseware and its new Simulated Test System, which includes updated teacher assessment tests and Internet delivery, will replace ETS’ LearningPlus program, delivering online instruction and placement tests in reading, writing, and mathematics. www.plato.com / www.ets.org
SchoolNet Receives Additional Financing
SchoolNet, an application service provider for K-12 schools, announced on March 26 it had secured an additional $1 million round of financing from its original investors, including Alley Capital, Quad Ventures, The Princeton Review, and SeaVest. The company will use the funding to expand its product development and sales efforts. www.schoolnet.com
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