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eInstruction To Acquire Interwrite Learning
11/26/2007
Denton, TX-based eInstruction today signed a definitive agreement to acquire Interwrite Learning. Both companies develop classroom technologies for K-12 and higher education environments, including whiteboards and student response systems and software. The combined company will go by the name of eInstruction.
"Our goal is to deliver solutions that improve student outcomes, increase the effectiveness and efficiency of instructors and provide greater information for use by instructors, administrators and parents," said Darrell Ward, founder of eInstruction, in a statement released today. "We took an important step in achieving that goal in 2006 when we acquired the ExamView test generating software and the ExamView Learning Series item banks, which work in concert with our technology and software solutions. Now we will take another significant step by combining with Interwrite Learning."
Ward will remain CEO of the combined company, while Interwrite's Steve Kaye will take on the role of president.
According to Jim Hopkins, vice president of marketing for eInstruction, who spoke with us this morning, the product lines of both Interwrite and eInstruction will continue to be fully supported, and no products will be discontinued in the short term. Interwrite's products include the Interwrite Board, Interwrite Panel, Interwrite Pad, Cricket (a student response clicker), Interwrite PRS (another student response device), and various software products, including Interwrite Workspace. eInstruction also provides classroom response systems and software, including CPS, a classroom system that allows all students in the class to respond to questions simultaneously by entering input into a handheld pad. It can be used for testing purposes, for the collection of data for comparison against state standards, for collaborative learning, and for assessment.
"The thinking in very general terms was the two companies complement each other very well," Hopkins told us. He said that eInstruction has a stronger presence in K-12, while Interwrite has more of a higher education and international presence. He also said that there's not a lot of overlap between the two companies so, for now, product lines from both companies will continue to be offered. Looking further down the road, the company will begin integrating technologies where such integration would make sense "from a customer perspective," he added.
The acquisition is expected to be completed in December. Terms of the deal have not yet been disclosed.
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About the author: Dave Nagel is the executive editor for 1105 Media's educational technology online publications and electronic newsletters. He can be reached at dnagel@1105media.com.
Have any additional questions? Want to share your story? Want to pass along a news tip? Contact Dave Nagel, executive editor, at dnagel@1105media.com.
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