The Open University, University College of London and Trinity College Dublin have all joined iTunes U, the three universities are the first to join the scheme outside of the US, Australia and New Zealand.
iTunes U offers access to educational content from some of the world’s leading universities and colleges, and today the Open University, UCL and Trinity College join those institutions, making materials available for discovery by anyone with iTunes and an internet connection.
Open University on iTunes U
Professor Denise Kirkpatrick, Pro Vice Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) at The Open University, said: “Making selected video and audio items from among the University’s highly-rated course materials via iTunes U to audiences worldwide offers a new channel for the University. We can open up free access to educational resources as well as a window for our potential students.”
Science, the arts, technology and computing, humanities and the environment are all among the subject areas featured. The range of courses and content has a global reach and feel as befits an international launch - Venice, Paris and Istanbul for Art History; Sierra Leone for an in-depth exploration of the issues of a country recovering from bloody civil war; the complex problem of the US-Mexican border which is a major case study for a course on globalisation; to Lake Baikal in Central Asia to understand the environmental impact of industrialisation in post Soviet Russia; the far East for world religions.
At the other end of the scale cows that choose when to get themselves milked by robots; a researcher pushing the boundaries of human computer interactions using implants; the world of mathematical modelling and the way societies over the centuries have understood and used maths; an ecology field trip in the English uplands, and the sumptuous funerary setting of medieval England’s richest man, Richard Beauchamp.
Today marks just the beginning of an ambitious programme of development by the OU. More video and audio material will be made available to reach a target of 500 items drawn from 50 OU courses by the end of July. The University also plans to extend the range of items beyond course materials to include some of its research activities. The site can be found at http://www.open.ac.uk/itunes
Welcoming the launch of Trinity College Dublin on iTunes U, the Provost of TCD, Dr John Hegarty said: “Through pioneering the use of this new technology, Trinity College is reaching out to a variety of audiences – potential and current students, staff, alumni and the general public, in fact anyone with a love of learning which demonstrates our social and educational outreach mission”.
“Trinity College Dublin, founded in 1592, is the oldest university featured on iTunes U in the iTunes Store today. This project is an example of combing tradition and innovation”, the Provost added.
John Murphy, Acting Director of TCD Information Systems Services stated: “Podcasting is the next growth area in higher level education. We are always embracing new technologies, and at the same time using them effectively for teaching, learning and research. The iTunes U interface provides control, flexibly, accessibility and management of the College’s online content in a manner not previously available”.
UCL academics and students are already using new technologies, including podcasting, to share information from their research and studies. UCL on iTunes U enhances the university’s provision of information and extends its reach to new audiences around the world. It will also enhance learning and teaching, developing innovation through new technology and meeting the needs of today’s techno-literate students.
UCL President and Provost Professor Malcolm Grant said: “UCL is one of the world’s leading universities, with an ethos not only of excellence, but also of innovation and accessibility. It is entirely in keeping with this ethos that we engage with new technologies to further our teaching, learning and engagement with the public. We are pleased to be leading the way in Europe.”
Professor Peter Mobbs, who leads the academic aspect of UCL on iTunes U, said: “Our students will be able to revisit materials presented to them in lectures, so they can learn anywhere and anytime. Furthermore, our students are among the world’s best and brightest, and I want them to be involved in generating and sharing their own content – discovery, analysis, imaginings – through audio and visual media, in collaboration with staff and other students.”
