Korean social-media-based adaptive learning platform Classting to
partner with UCLA/CRESST in rollout of new US version of service
partner with UCLA/CRESST in rollout of new US version of service
Los Angeles, CA (August 25, 2015): Classting, a successful educational technology startup headquartered in South Korea, has announced the launch of a new U.S. operation. Classting, Inc will partner with the National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards and Student Testing at UCLA (UCLA/CRESST) in order to adapt its platform for use in US classrooms.
Classting was created in 2012 by Dave Cho, a Korean elementary school teacher, as a workaround for problems arising from large class sizes. His objective was to enable teachers, students, and parents to participate in a single online community dedicated to learning. The name 'Classting', which comprises the concepts 'class' and 'meeting', reflects his aim of providing an experience which combines social and educational elements.
In just three years, Classting has become the region’s leading social-media-based adaptive learning platform, with 1.8m users including more than 200,000 teachers in some 13,500 schools. Classting is especially popular in its home country, being used in more than 96% of Korea's 'K-12' (primary and secondary) schools. The platform has been singled out for praise by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, while its achievements have been recognized with a number of awards including the 2012 Global K-Startup competition. K-Startup, jointly organized by Google and the Korean government, helps Korean startups 'go global'. The win reflects Classting's stated aim of extending its programs worldwide.
In just three years, Classting has become the region’s leading social-media-based adaptive learning platform, with 1.8m users including more than 200,000 teachers in some 13,500 schools. Classting is especially popular in its home country, being used in more than 96% of Korea's 'K-12' (primary and secondary) schools. The platform has been singled out for praise by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, while its achievements have been recognized with a number of awards including the 2012 Global K-Startup competition. K-Startup, jointly organized by Google and the Korean government, helps Korean startups 'go global'. The win reflects Classting's stated aim of extending its programs worldwide.
The original impetus for the U.S. launch of Classting came about when Professor Kim of Seoul National University of Education, an institution which provides training for elementary school teachers, demonstrated the platform to Professor Li Cai of UCLA/CRESST. Professor Li was favorably impressed, stating: "The active participation of students and teachers in Classting provides an enriched environment useful for adaptive and personalized learning."
The platform notched up an early U.S. success when Professor Anne Homza of Boston College led a semester-long test project linking student communities at JeongEubDong elementary school in Korea with contemporaries at Saint Columbkille Partnership School in Boston. Professor Homza later commented: "I am looking forward to developing opportunities for teachers across the globe to collaborate to promote rich cultural exchange."
Classting, Inc was incorporated in July. The company has stated its intention of collaborating extensively with UCLA/CRESST so as to fully align the platform with U.S. educational practice. The Classting platform has been localized in accordance with U.S. law, especially the provisions of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
About Classting
Classting was created in 2012 by Dave Cho, a Korean elementary school teacher, as a workaround for problems arising from large class sizes. His objective was to enable teachers, students, and parents to participate in a single online community dedicated to learning. The name 'Classting', which comprises the concepts 'class' and 'meeting', reflects his aim of providing an experience which combines social and educational elements. Classting is funded by SoftBank Korea and angel investors. The product has 96% penetration in Korea and is launching worldwide. You can learn more about Classting at http://www.classting.com/
