Billionaire Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. says it will acquire 90 per cent of Wireless Generation, a privately-held Brooklyn, US-based education technology company for around $US360 million ($365 million) in cash.



‘‘Upon completion of the transaction, Wireless Generation will become a subsidiary of News Corporation and will be managed by founder and CEO Larry Berger, president and COO Josh Reibel, and executive vice president and chief product Officer Laurence Holt, who will collectively retain a 10 per cent interest.



Wireless Generation was established in 2000 and provides mobile and web software, data systems and professional services that enable teachers to use data to assess student progress and deliver individualised instruction.



The company says it serves more than 200,000 teachers and three million students across all 50 states of the US.

It currently has 400 employees.



‘‘When it comes to K through 12 education, we see a $US500 billion sector in the US alone that is waiting desperately to be transformed by big breakthroughs that extend the reach of great teaching,’’ News Corp.'s chairman Rupert Murdoch said in a statement.



‘‘Wireless Generation is at the forefront of individualised, technology-based learning that is poised to revolutionise public education for a new generation of students,’’ Mr Murdoch said.



The company is a key partner to New York City’s Department of Education on its Achievement Reporting and Innovation System (ARIS) as well as on the city’s School of One initiative, named by TIME Magazine as one of the Best Inventions of 2009, Wireless Generation said.



‘‘We’re delighted to be joining a company that has a long history of growing entrepreneurial, innovative businesses,’’ Mr Berger said in a statement.



‘‘Rupert believes in the power of digital platforms to reach more people with better information, more swiftly than ever and he understands the transformative effect technology can bring to the process of learning.’’



AAP