Education is shifting away from traditional textbooks towards self-paced learning apps that are more like computer games than books. Fluency Tutor from Texthelp Systems is a good example.

Recently, Words & Numbers, a digital-first provider of educational content, partnered with Root-1 to develop a new suite of apps built on Root-1's OpenMinds platform.

The apps will enable teachers to transform content (their own or that of a third party) into game-style apps -- accessible from various mobile devices -- that teach skills such as such as vocabulary, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

A key advantage of OpenMinds is its innovative use of algorithms that help teachers track both student and class performance based on response time and other variables.