eInstruction

About eInstruction

The story begins in 1981, when computer science professor Darrell Ward founded eInstruction with a vision to bring technology into the classroom. The company's key innovation was the Classroom Performance System, or CPS, a handheld "clicker" that allowed for real-time student feedback and participation. This simple device was a game-changer for formative assessment, letting teachers instantly gauge comprehension. To build a comprehensive educational technology platform, eInstruction went on a strategic acquisition path. In 2006, it bought FSCreations, the developer of the ExamView test software. This was followed by the significant 2008 acquisition of Interwrite Learning, a move that added interactive whiteboards and mobile teacher slates to its product lineup, effectively doubling the company's size. As a portfolio company of private equity firm Leeds Equity Partners, eInstruction continued to expand its reach, with its technology used in hundreds of thousands of K-12 and university classrooms globally. The final chapter for the independent company came in 2013 when it was acquired by a competitor, Turning Technologies. The deal combined two of the market leaders in the student response system industry, consolidating their technologies and market share. This marked the end of eInstruction's journey as a standalone entity but solidified the impact of its pioneering classroom technology.