Apple, which lost ground to the Google Chromebook last year in the K-12 market, has acquired the education software company LearnSprout, which develops programs for schools to track student performance.
The move could give Apple a stronger foothold in the education market because LearnSprout is in more than 2,500 schools in 42 states.
Apple confirmed the acquisition to Bloomberg Business, which broke the story Thursday, but declined to comment on plans for the company.
On Jan. 11, Cult of Mac reported how Chromebook sales in schools moved passed Apple, according to third quarter reports for 2015. Google hit 51 percent while Apple sales for classrooms slipped 24 percent.
Analysts say schools like Chromebook’s easy-to-use operating system and low-maintenance IT, plus the devices are cheaper to buy in bulk than iPads and other Apple computers.
Apple is working on programs for the iPad to make lessons interactive for student, according to the Bloomberg report.
LearnSprout is described as a San Francisco startup that raised more than $4 million from investors, the report said.
Visitors to LearnSprout’s homepage greeted by a picture of an iMac monitor showing the software. Above it are the words, “Transform your student data into actionable insights.”
Source: Bloomberg Business
