Practice XYZ explained

Practice, formerly known as ApprenNet, was a Philadelphia-based educational technology startup company that developed video based learning systems. The company was founded in 2011 and was acquired by Instructure an American learning systems company in 2017.^{[1] [2]}

History

The company was founded in 2011 by Emily Foote and Drexel University School of Law Professor Karl Okamoto.^[3] Okamoto developed the idea for the company in 2009 when he created LawMeets,^[4] an online competition similar to a moot court.^[5]

ApprenNet launched a version of LawMeets as an intellectual property in 2011. With LawMeets, students enact their response to a legal problem and receive feedback.^{[3] [6]}

ApprenNet next added K12Meets, a program enabling teachers to practice their classroom techniques, and created a training program for employees at a Philadelphia restaurant.^{[3] [6]}

In 2012, the National Science Foundation awarded Okamoto a $500,000 grant to expand LawMeets' approach to learning in other disciplines.

In 2013, ApprenNet was one of five startup companies selected to participate in the University of Pennsylvania's Education Design Studio Inc. (EDSi), an innovation incubator dedicated to funding and launching education technology companies.^{[7] [8]}

In 2015, Rachel Jacobs became the company's CEO.^{[9] [10]} Following Jacobs's death in May 2015, ApprenNet merged with Handsfree Learning of California.^{[11] [12]}

In 2016, ApprenNet changed its name to Practice XYZ, Inc.^[13]

In 2017, the company was acquired by American education technology company Instructure.^[1]

Notes and References

1. News: Practice got acquired by Instructure. Here are the details . November 29, 2017 . Technical.ly .
2. News: We’re Talkin’ About Practice: Instructure Acquires Video-Based Learning Platform . December 2, 2017 . Ed Surge .
3. News: McBride . Dara . 14 August 2012 . Drexel law professor creates a virtual venue for getting real-world experience . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141228170317/http://articles.philly.com/2012-08-14/news/33183315_1_law-school-users-new-program . December 28, 2014 . 19 May 2015 . The Philadelphia Inquirer.
4. News: Carter. Terry. You know about moot court—but Karl Okamoto wants students to practice moot deals. 19 May 2015. ABA Journal. 4 September 2013.
5. News: Reyes. Juliana. ApprenNet: online law education startup to build open web course on M&A with $500k from National Science Foundation. 19 May 2015. Technically Philly. 26 July 2012.
6. News: McDonough. Molly. Drexel Law Prof to Use $500K Grant to Expand LawMeets, an Online Lawyering Skills Platform. 19 May 2015. American Bar Association. ABA Journal. 14 August 2012.
7. News: Schaffhauser. Dian. U Penn School of Ed Launches Ed Tech Incubator. 19 May 2015. Campus Technology. 31 October 2013.
8. News: Baker . Brandon . ApprenNet Takes Teaching to a Higher Level . 20 May 2015 . Philadelphia Region's Business . 7 November 2013 .
9. News: Reyes . Juliana . 6 April 2015 . ApprenNet just hired a new CEO. Here's why that's a big deal . 19 May 2015 . TechnicallyPhilly.
10. News: 31 March 2015 . People in the News . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150518023525/http://articles.philly.com/2015-03-31/business/60648429_1_chief-financial-officer-interim-president-estate-company . May 18, 2015 . 19 May 2015 . The Philadelphia Inquirer.
11. News: 2015-07-23 . ApprenNet merges with SF edtech startup, but Philly office is here to stay - Technical.ly Philly . 2017-10-13 . Technical.ly Philly . en-US.
12. News: Blumenthal . Jeff . 22 July 2015 . Local tech firm that lost CEO in Amtrak crash merges with California firm . 27 July 2015 . Philadelphia Business Journal.
13. Web site: 8 June 2016 . Video Learning Platform ApprenNet Gets a Name Change and a $4M Series A - EdSurge News .