Gaming Platforms, Interactive Technology for Students Get Multimillion-Dollar Boost
Some of the money from a $100 million innovation fund unveiled Monday by education materials publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt will be earmarked for gaming platforms and other interactive technology targeted toward engaging students outside the classroom.
The fund will support creation of an array of products aimed at enhancing student learning, student achievement and classroom technology.
Barry O’Callaghan, CEO of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, said the fund “is a first for our industry, providing the capital to identify and incubate the next generation of innovation in education. We are excited about the opportunity to share in developing new solutions for teachers, students, administrators and parents.”
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt also said it’s investing as much as $300 million over the next three years to work with outside interests, including high-tech manufacturers and nonprofit foundations, on education innovations.
One of those innovations is an algebra app for the iPad that Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has been piloting in California. More than 400 eighth-graders at six schools are receiving instruction solely through iPads loaded with the company’s course materials.
For second-through 12th-graders in Texas, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is rolling out an all-digital language arts program known as Texas Write Source. The program includes interactive whiteboards, video podcasts, games and audio-enabled interactive mini-lessons.
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