The alliance combines HMH's English-language education content with SKT's T-Smart Learning platform to deliver anytime, anywhere instruction and practice opportunities to students through their mobile devices. HMH will provide content from more than 1,000 of its acclaimed titles including Destination Math, SkillsTutor and Science Fusion, while SK Telecom will develop the viewers, apps, billing systems, certification systems, synchronization functions and other platform functions required for content delivery. Content will be accessed initially via Samsung Android tablets and will be sold to both consumers and institutions.
“As one of the world’s leading global educational content providers, HMH is pleased to expand smart learning opportunities with SK Telecom," said Linda K. Zecher, President and CEO of HMH. “This agreement aligns perfectly with our ongoing commitment to combine research, content and technology to advance teaching and learning environments around the world.”
The initial offering will make available education content and materials to Korean primary and secondary school students by October 2012. Going forward, HMH and SK Telecom will continue to develop additional offerings that provide device-based educational materials to students in an array of additional markets including China and India.
“This alliance is especially meaningful, as it enables us to establish a foundation for next-generation offerings that combine the latest technology and content,” said Bae Joon-Dong, President of Network Operations Business at SK Telecom. “Together with HMH, we expect to enhance student performance and expand the mobile education business globally."
HMH and SK Telecom's T-Smart Learning initiative will include three English-language modules: Math, Reading, and Science. The initial focus will be to increase and enhance English-language education in South Korea with the goal of furthering English proficiency and academic outcomes for Korean students.
“The alliance between SK Telecom, Korea’s representative telecommunications company, and HMH is a stepping stone toward providing an optimal educational solution," said Mark Tokola, Deputy Chief of Mission for the U.S. Embassy in Seoul. "This alliance is based on offering high-quality content on top of cutting-edge technology—not only to Korea, but also to other international markets.”
About SK Telecom
SK Telecom (NYSE: SKM, KSE: 017670), established in 1984, is Korea’s leading telecommunications provider with more than 26 million subscribers, which accounts for more than 50% of the total market. The company reached KRW 15.945 trillion in revenue in 2011. SK Telecom was the first to launch and commercialize CDMA, CDMA 2000 1x, CDMA EV-DO and HSDPA networks, and it currently provides cellular, wireless internet, mobile media, global roaming service and more. For more information, please visit www.sktelecom.com or email to press@sktelecom.com.
About Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is a global learning company with the mission of changing lives by fostering passionate, curious learners. Among the world’s largest providers of pre-K–12 education solutions and one of its longest-established publishing houses, HMH combines cutting-edge research, editorial excellence and technological innovation to improve teaching and learning environments and solve complex literacy and education challenges. HMH’s interactive, results-driven education solutions are utilized by 60 million students in 120 countries, and its renowned and awarded novels, non-fiction, children's books and reference works are enjoyed by readers throughout the world. For more information, visit www.hmhco.com.