Though I spend most of my day writing and researching, I also go to school. For a while I beat the silence of my surroundings by making music the soundtrack to my work life, mixing it up with the occasional podcast or epic novel (complete with faux-British narration, of course).
Yet this routine got old, and I searched out something new. In my search I happened upon iTunes U. At iTunes U I can virtually sit in on a Stanford University lecture about “The Growing Pains in China’s Reform,” or brush up on my conversational Spanish in a DePaul University tutorial. I can even fulfill my dream of experiencing a class in the honors program at the School of Visual Arts—an institution that, for my utter lack of artistic aptitude, would have never let me in its doors.
Over 75 colleges and universities worldwide have opened their lectures to the public through iTunes U, affording multitaskers like me the chance to continue our education whenever time permits.
But it gets better. Until recently iTunes U was geared toward college and adult learners. However at the National Education Computing Conference the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SEDTA) announced that it collaborated with Apple to help seven states launch free content for K–12 educators. The second part of the announcement was that iTunes U had launched a channel for high school, middle school and elementary school students.
Through its trademark innovation, Apple has created a place where curricula, lesson plans and education resources can be shared in the digital world. Visit the Apple Web site for free downloadable software for Macs and PCs, and “sit in” on virtual classes, which are always in session.
Jen O’Neill
Education Writer
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Sarah
http://grillsblog.com
Posted by: Sarah | April 09, 2009 at 08:35 AM