Hawkes Learning, a leading provider of educational technology solutions, announces the launch of a new bilingual feature in AI Tutor, the secure, AI-driven tool designed to empower students by providing immediate, individualized support with contextualized responses, enhancing mastery and building confidence. With the addition of Spanish support in the tool, we are better able to reach more students by removing a language barrier and allowing students to focus on learning. Meeting More Students Where They Are The newly bilingual AI Tutor represents Hawkes Learning’s continued commitment to educational equity and its founding belief that with the right tools, every student can learn and succeed. This enhancement addresses a growing need in higher education by ensuring Spanish-speaking students have equitable access to personalized learning support, a population that represents: More than 41 million Americans who speak Spanish as their first language Nearly 18 percent of the total undergraduate population A demographic whose enrollment at colleges and universities has more than doubled in the past two decades, according to Pew Research Center Equitable, Empathetic, and Easy Students simply begin typing their question in Spanish and AI Tutor will automatically respond in the student’s language of choice. Built in a secure environment, AI Tutor provides peace of mind for instructors with guardrails around Hawkes’ trusted content, protection of user data, and prevention of shared answers. The tool understands the student experience and provides a supportive, personalized learning journey, guiding students toward mastery. “I liked how it provided the same resources as AI tutor in English, making it very inclusive for all learners! AI Tutor made me feel less alone in the stress in that there’s an outlet to help.” —Sharon Kariyev, Student at SUNY College at Old Westbury Supports More Students Hawkes Learning invites educators and students to explore how AI Tutor can transform the learning experience and drive student success. Since its original launch one year ago, AI Tutor has served more than 81,000 students and had more than 460,000 conversations. On average, 40 percent of students utilized the tutor multiple times, proving ongoing assistance. This innovative tool represents the future of education, providing a secure, inclusive, and student-centered approach to mastering course material in a technology-forward landscape. “At Hawkes Learning, we don’t just say that learning is for everyone; we are doing something about it,” said Scott Virkler, CEO of Hawkes Learning. “I’m thrilled to announce this bilingual feature to make learning much easier for such a large group of students. We truly believe all students deserve support, wherever they are in their learning journey.” For more information about this newly bilingual AI-powered learning tool and how it can enhance the learning experience, please visit www.hawkeslearning.com/aitutor.
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October 27, 2025
Hawkes Learning, a leading provider of educational technology solutions,...
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To our customers, team members, and everyone following the Hawkes journey. At Hawkes Learning, our commitment to a diverse workforce is a key tenet of our organization. We believe in a diverse workforce made up of the best employees possible that is not only a reflection of our core values – collaborative, service-oriented, adaptable, and innovative – but also a vital part of our continued success. We know true progress stems from the richness of different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. That is why we are dedicated to fostering a culture where everyone — regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic background, or any identity—is welcomed, supported, and empowered to help make Hawkes Learning better. But this commitment is more than just words. We are actively taking action to ensure our company mirrors the diverse communities we serve and that everyone — from our employees to our customers — feels valued and respected. We believe that embracing diversity at every level helps us to understand and serve the needs of today’s evolving student population. We are continually evaluating our practices to promote equal opportunity and will continue working to create an environment where all can thrive. Thank you for being part of this journey. We are proud to have you with us. Sincerely, Scott Virkler Chief Executive Officer Hawkes Learning
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May 1, 2025
To our customers, team members, and everyone following the Hawkes journey.
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“The addition of AI Tutor in Hawkes Learning is an exciting step forward in building stronger supports for student learning!” – Professor Hunter Chandler, Bluegrass Community and Technical College Like Professor Chandler, I am extremely excited about Hawkes’ new learning tool, AI Tutor, and I want to share more information on how well the launch has gone. On October 1, 2024, Hawkes Learning proudly launched the AI Tutor—a groundbreaking tool designed to provide students with personalized, on-demand support 24/7. While we are still in the early days, it has already shown tremendous potential in establishing how students and instructors can leverage AI tools in a learning environment. Based on market feedback, we have the leading AI tool in use in higher education today. Built on Hawkes’ proven pedagogy and trusted content, AI Tutor meets students where they are, delivering real time assistance in a safe and supportive learning environment. Key Objectives AI Tutor was created with these core goals in mind: Support Where it’s Needed—When it’s Needed – Today’s students benefit from help exactly when they need it. AI Tutor is always available to supplement instructors and provide timely assistance. A Safe, Secure Learning Space – By combining Hawkes’ trusted content with advanced AI technology, AI Tutor delivers precise, reliable guidance in a safe, secure learning environment. Promoting Critical Thinking – Rather than providing quick answers, AI Tutor encourages students to engage deeply with their work by offering thoughtful, relevant hints and guiding them on where to begin. A Judgement-Free Space to Learn – Students can freely ask questions and explore concepts without fear of judgment, fostering confidence and curiosity in a supportive environment. AI Tutor converses empathetically, providing support even when learning becomes frustrating for the student. Designed with the Instructor in Mind – Instructor feedback played a crucial role in shaping AI Tutor, ensuring alignment with classroom teaching methods to seamlessly extend instructor reach. How We are Achieving This Hawkes Content: By integrating AI Tutor with our trusted, robust curriculum and legacy tutoring aids, students are given precise and actionable support. Hawkes Pedagogy: AI-powered support is designed to align with the proven teaching methods instructors rely on, ensuring a seamless and consistent classroom fit. Enhanced User Experience: We have prioritized simplicity and targeted prompts and focused responses to engage students and maximize learning outcomes. Early Results & Insights After nearly three months, we are thrilled with the results! While over 40% of our users have tried AI Tutor, daily usage stands at an impressive 15% of active users with steady engagement since launch. Feedback from both students and instructors has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting AI Tutor’s ability to provide timely, accurate, and empathetic support while maintaining a non-judgmental, secure learning environment. “Hawkes’ new AI Tutor tool creates a safe space for me to ask questions I might hesitate to ask in a classroom setting for fear of being judged. It feels like I have a private tutor who allows me to explore the topics and learn at my own pace!” – Lauren Zafonte, student at Nassau Community College At the same time, we have identified valuable opportunities for growth. For example, some students prefer a more subtle approach for when AI Tutor steps in after periods of inactivity, and we’re eager to fine-tune this experience. Additionally, while the tool is performing well across disciplines, we are actively exploring ways to enhance mathematical explanations by incorporating alternative models and refining how the AI processes data. The Road Ahead We are just getting started—we can’t wait to expand on AI Tutor with innovative features like multilingual support, speech-to-text functionality, and self-diagnostic tools. These enhancements will enable us to reach even more students and provide an even richer learning experience. The early success of AI Tutor reinforces our belief in the transformative power of AI in education. By offering personalized, on-demand support in a safe and encouraging environment, we’re empowering students to unlock their full potential. Together, we are not just adapting to the future of learning—we are actively shaping it. Thank you for joining us on this journey!
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January 8, 2025
“The addition of AI Tutor in Hawkes Learning is an exciting step forward in...
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Leaders in educational technology, VitalSource® and Hawkes Learning, are excited to announce a strategic partnership to deliver high-quality, cost-effective learning materials to all students, everywhere, via StudyText. Utilizing VitalSource’s leading ereader, Bookshelf®, Hawkes Learning is offering its content to students with greater flexibility and on-the-go learning capabilities. These low-cost, interactive etexts are available through both the VitalSource and Hawkes Learning eCommerce stores reinforcing their shared commitment to widely accessible and high-quality materials in higher education. VitalSource has been at the forefront of accessibility efforts for over three decades, consistently working to break down barriers and ensure that educational content is available to everyone, regardless of their circumstances; this partnership is a testament to that dedication. "Our mission at VitalSource is to power the learning delivery network that transforms education. This partnership with Hawkes Learning exemplifies our commitment to ensuring every student has access to the tools they need to succeed." — Irene McGuinness, Chief Commercial Officer at VitalSource Hawkes Learning is launching five StudyText titles this fall, marking an exciting milestone toward creating a more affordable and inclusive future in education. By combining advanced technology, student-driven innovation, and expertise in accessible learning materials, these two educational leaders are taking a significant step toward creating educational materials that empower all learners to succeed. “This strategic partnership with VitalSource combines their world-class digital reader with our market-leading content, creating an unparalleled, active learning experience for students. StudyText syncs across devices offering students access whenever and however it is most convenient,” said Scott Virkler, CEO of Hawkes Learning. “We’re thrilled to launch this innovative offering, which not only enhances our value to customers but is also fueling our growth in the rapidly evolving education technology landscape.” For more information about StudyText and to request a sample copy, visit hawkeslearning.com/StudyText.
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October 8, 2024
Leaders in educational technology, VitalSource® and Hawkes Learning, are...
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Hawkes Learning, a pioneering educational technology provider, is pleased to announce the appointment of Kuljit Dharni as its new Chief Technology Officer (CTO), effective July 23, 2024. This strategic appointment reinforces Hawkes Learning’s position as a market leader in adaptive courseware and signals the company’s commitment to accelerating growth and innovation in the competitive EdTech landscape. With over 25 years of technology and leadership experience, Dharni has a proven track record of driving data-informed innovation and digital transformation across the education sector, spanning both EdTech companies and higher education institutions. Dharni has significant experience with major industry players, including leadership roles at Ellucian and McGraw Hill Education. Throughout his career, Dharni has held technology leadership roles, spearheading digital change at Harvard University and most recently as the CTO at Babson College. “Hawkes was founded on the key pillars of service, innovation, and pushing the boundaries of what is possible in EdTech. Kuljit’s extensive experience and future-focused approach align seamlessly with this continued vision, ensuring we remain at the forefront of educational innovation. We are growing rapidly in a space filled with old, tired print publishers who are struggling to remain relevant. Adding a digital leader like Kuljit to our team sets us up for even faster growth.” – Scott Virkler, CEO of Hawkes Learning Dharni’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment for Hawkes Learning and the educational technology sector, which is experiencing rapid advancements in personalized learning, AI-driven analytics, and cloud-based solutions. The global education technology market, estimated at USD 142.37 billion in 2023, is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.4% from 2024 to 2030 (Source: Grand View Research, 2023). In this expanding landscape, Dharni’s expertise will play a crucial role in accelerating growth at Hawkes Learning. “I’m excited to build on the existing infrastructure at Hawkes to harness the transformative power of technology. I thrive on being able to directly improve learning solutions and being close to the customer.” – Kuljit Dharni As Hawkes Learning continues to advance its mastery-based software and integrates AI into the learning process, Dharni’s leadership will be instrumental in optimizing learning support and improving course outcomes for hundreds of thousands of higher education students annually. His strategic vision, coupled with the company’s commitment to remaining at the forefront of educational innovation, positions Hawkes Learning to deliver cutting-edge solutions in an ever-evolving digital landscape. About Hawkes Learning Partnering with the higher education community since 1979, Hawkes Learning has harnessed the transformative potential of technology to provide reliable course materials and exemplary service in the shared pursuit of student success. By combining student-centered innovation with AI-based tutoring and a proven, mastery learning approach, Hawkes cultivates an effective learning experience for students while simultaneously supporting educators. For more information, please visit www.hawkeslearning.com.
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July 30, 2024
Hawkes Learning, a pioneering educational technology provider, is pleased to...
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