Apple Updates iTunes U, Intros Great New Tools for Students and Teachers
Cupertino-based software developer Apple recently announced that it updated iTunes U, the app that provides access to educational material. The update introduces great new tools for teachers and students. For the first time ever, teachers can use the app to create, edit and manage entire courses directly on their iPads. And students can use their iPads to start class discussions and ask questions.
“Education is at the core of Apple’s DNA and iTunes U is an incredibly valuable resource for teachers and students,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. “iTunes U features an amazing selection of academic materials for everyone around the world. Now, with the ability to better manage and discuss educational content, learning becomes even more personalized on iPad.”
iTunes U Update – Course Creation Capabilities
Starting with the 8th of July, iTunes U will offer full course creation capabilities on iPad. This means that teachers will be able to use the app on their iPads to create, edit and manage entire courses. The courses can include content from iWork, iBooks Author or any of the over 75,000 educational apps that are available for iPad. The courses can also include photos and videos captured with the iPad’s built-in camera.
iTunes U Update – Discussion Capabilities
The updated iTunes gives students new ways to collaborate on their iPads. And more to the point, students that are enrolled in iTunes U courses can automatically follow classroom discussion, join conversations on new topics, set up push notifications for new topics and set up notifications for replies. Teachers can moderate discussions and they can participate in forums.
iTunes U is home to more than 750,000 individual learning materials. As Apple explained, “iTunes U is the world’s largest online catalog of free educational content from top schools and prominent organizations.”
“Education is at the core of Apple’s DNA and iTunes U is an incredibly valuable resource for teachers and students,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. “iTunes U features an amazing selection of academic materials for everyone around the world. Now, with the ability to better manage and discuss educational content, learning becomes even more personalized on iPad.”
iTunes U Update – Course Creation Capabilities
Starting with the 8th of July, iTunes U will offer full course creation capabilities on iPad. This means that teachers will be able to use the app on their iPads to create, edit and manage entire courses. The courses can include content from iWork, iBooks Author or any of the over 75,000 educational apps that are available for iPad. The courses can also include photos and videos captured with the iPad’s built-in camera.
iTunes U Update – Discussion Capabilities
The updated iTunes gives students new ways to collaborate on their iPads. And more to the point, students that are enrolled in iTunes U courses can automatically follow classroom discussion, join conversations on new topics, set up push notifications for new topics and set up notifications for replies. Teachers can moderate discussions and they can participate in forums.
iTunes U is home to more than 750,000 individual learning materials. As Apple explained, “iTunes U is the world’s largest online catalog of free educational content from top schools and prominent organizations.”
