Apple will today launch a significant upgrade to its iTunes U, reports Re/code. The aim of the update is to improve the tools available for teachers to interact with students, incorporate educational apps in course materials, and manage homework assignments.

Following the update, students who use iPads in the classroom will be able to submit homework assignments directly from their tablets, complete with time stamps to make sure work is turned in on time. The change makes it easier for students to submit homework, but it also simplifies the grading process for teachers, with alerts whenever an assignment is received and tools for sending reminders to students who are failing to turn in their work.

itunesu
Teachers will also be able to use popular third-party educational apps in their iTunes U course materials, and there are new discussion features that allow students and teachers to more easily interact and share ideas.

As Re/code points out, iTunes U has become an increasingly important tool for teachers who incorporate the iPad into their classrooms. Teachers can use the tool to create entire courses using digital textbooks, videos, and apps, with today's update enhancing the tool's capabilities even further.

Top Rated Comments

69650 Avatar
101 months ago
Can't they come up with a better name than iTunes U
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ArtOfWarfare Avatar
101 months ago
Three words:

DIE BLACKBOARD DIE

If I had three more words to continue this thought they would be:

DIE DIE DIE
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jayducharme Avatar
101 months ago
Moodle is so bad that even if Microsoft made a competitor that cost money everyone would use it....
The problem with Moodle is it's simply a barebones development platform. If colleges hired really good programmers and designers to manage their Moodle implementation, it could be fantastic. But so many colleges try to take the cheap way out. Moodle is basically free, so it's often deployed in its raw state and in that state it's a mess to use. The strength of iTunes U is Apple's understanding of user interface. It's a joy to use compared with current alternatives.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tomnavratil Avatar
101 months ago
The problem with Moodle is it's simply a barebones development platform. If colleges hired really good programmers and designers to manage their Moodle implementation, it could be fantastic. But so many colleges try to take the cheap way out. Moodle is basically free, so it's often deployed in its raw state and in that state it's a mess to use. The strength of iTunes U is Apple's understanding of user interface. It's a joy to use compared with current alternatives.
Very true, this also applies to Blackboard and other systems. I've seen some universities to fully take advantages of these system thanks for good programmers and designers as you mention. In that case, it really benefits the students. However in many cases I've seen very poor implementation thanks to very little involvement from colleges and their staff.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
captain cadet Avatar
101 months ago
.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
captain cadet Avatar
101 months ago
This seems to a new version of Moodle
Moodle is so bad that even if Microsoft made a competitor that cost money everyone would use it....
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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