Sylvan Learning Partners With Fingerprint To Co-Create SylvanPlay, A New Mobile Learning Network To Extend Sylvan Curriculum

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Fingerprint, a mobile technology company, and Sylvan Learning, a leading provider of personal learning and tutoring services, today announced a co-development deal to create SylvanPlay, a customized mobile learning network. Set for a December launch in the U.S. and Canada and powered exclusively by Fingerprint technology, SylvanPlay supports the expansion of Sylvan's curriculum beyond the learning center, and underscores the importance of personalized mobile learning and the power of using technology and games to engage today's students.

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SylvanPlay will launch on iOS and Android with a suite of four apps created by Fingerprint and its developer network. Each will foster reading and math skills for 1^st-4^th grade students, including an all-new original title designed by Fingerprint's innovative development team working in counsel with Sylvan's Curriculum team. In addition to its play-and-learn library of apps, SylvanPlay will also feature a parent engagement dashboard, collaborative play options, and safe chat functions enabled by Fingerprint's technology platform. Sylvan customers will also be able to access the mySylvan portal and loyalty program on the mobile network.

"The success of our SylvanSync instructional system, which combines digital lessons on tablets with teacher-led personalized instruction, highlights the tremendous potential and value in establishing an entire network of engaging mobile learning content," said Julia Fitzgerald, CMO of Sylvan Learning. "Fingerprint's mobile technology platform, experience in the kids mobile learning category and access to best-of-breed content developers is helping us bring our vision to life."

As more and more kids have access to smartphones and tablets, mobile games for kids have grown in popularity, making them a compelling avenue for inspiring learning.

• In the last two years, 53% of kids have upped their mobile gaming activity and it is attracting a growing number of younger players as well.
• In just the past year, the average age when kids start to game on mobile devices has decreased from nine to eight years old.[i] 
• The impact can be seen already in mobile learning revenues which have reached $1.4 billion in North America and are estimated to reach $2.1 billion by 2017[ii] as digital trends continue to influence educational models.

"At this pivotal moment for both digital learning and mobile entertainment, Fingerprint is thrilled to count Sylvan, a company synonymous with education, personalized learning and a leader in innovative learning approaches, as the first North American licensed network powered by Fingerprint," said Nancy MacIntyre, CEO and co-founder of Fingerprint. "SylvanPlay affirms the growing importance of mobile learning and Fingerprint's unique ability to deliver a great play-and-learn network built for kids."

Sylvan and Fingerprint will continue to cultivate the SylvanPlay learning network with an array of Fingerprint-curated content from its fast-growing library of global edutainment titles and custom developed experiences designed to extend Sylvan's curriculum. In anticipation of rapidly scaling educational content in 2014 for Sylvan, Fingerprint Play and other licensed networks, Fingerprint welcomes best-in-class developer applications at www.fingerprintplay.com/developers.

About Fingerprint, Inc. 

Fingerprint is a mobile technology company offering a dynamic technology platform and robust content library for families with children through its own Fingerprint Play and customer networks. Fingerprint's enterprise platform solution, with an easy-to-use SDK and curated play-and-learn content from top developers around the world, enables global brands to license and develop customized and localized networks of their own. Fingerprint is funded by leading consumer tech investors including Corus Entertainment and K2MediaLabs. For more information, visit fingerprintplay.com or facebook.com/fingerprintplay.   

About Sylvan Learning, Inc.

With over 30 years of experience and more than 800 locations throughout North America, Sylvan Learning is the leading provider of personal learning for students in grades K-12. As the leader in supplemental education, Sylvan is transforming how students learn, inspiring them to succeed in school and in life.  Sylvan's proven tutoring approach blends amazing teachers with SylvanSync™ technology on the iPad® for an engaging learning experience. Sylvan programs include study skills, math, reading, writing, and test-prep for college entrance and state exams. Sylvan also provides educational services to public and non-public schools. The company was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland. For more information, call 1-800-31-SUCCESS, visit www.SylvanLearning.com or Sylvan's Mom Minded blog at www.SylvanLearning.com/blog.

[i] Source: NPD Kids & Gaming
[ii] Source: Ambient Insights  

SOURCE Fingerprint