Apple (AAPL 0.12%) is taking its technology to more classrooms than ever before. The company announced Tuesday that it is expanding its iBooks Textbooks and iTunes U Course Manager to new markets worldwide, including countries in Asia, Latin America, and Europe.
Apple's interactive iBooks are now available in 51 countries, while iTunes U Course Manager will help teachers in 70 countries design, create, and distribute courses to their own students, as well as educators around the world.
"The incredible content and tools available for iPad provide teachers with new ways to customize learning unlike ever before," Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of Internet software and services, said in a statement. "We can't wait to see how teachers in even more countries will create their new lesson plans with interactive textbooks, apps and rich digital content."
Apple currently offers about 25,000 educational titles on its iBook platform, and boasts full core curriculum coverage for U.S. and British high schools. At the same time, Apple's iTunes U Course Manager hands teachers the tools to move their planning beyond textbooks, allowing for original content and enhanced sharing.
Technology companies are continually looking for ways to both expand and deepen their business, and Apple's educational investments help push the company beyond being a simple hardware and software provider.
