Article Blog #8

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2009/BUSINESS/10/16/online.university/index.html

Support: http://www.bachelorsdegreeonline.com/blog/2009/50-terrific-itunes-u-lectures-to-get-you-through-the-economic-crisis/

The article at hand discusses the plans of more and more universities putting their lectures up on the internet for everyone to download. Hundreds of universities and many business schools are providing lectures online via Youtube and iTunes U, which is a part of the iTunes online store. According to CNN, “those whose budget won't stretch to a two-year MBA can simulate the experience at home -- or at work, in the gym or anywhere else they choose. And even better for money-conscious learners, the iTunes U content can all be downloaded free of charge” (cnn.com). Some schools have already been doing this, such as the French business school HEC Paris, They have been running podcast of lectures since 2006. Some professors use this online approach to answer commonly asked questions in masses rather than answer questions individually. iTunes U isn’t the only one that has had this idea of putting lectures online, others include Youtube EDU, Academic Earth, and other universities have their own Open Course Wear site. Nevertheless, it is iTunes U that is attracting all the attention and drawing the most interest.

I think the idea of online lectures is a great way to help students study and give them something helpful to listen on walks to class or car rides during test weeks. This would help students out a lot because they will have a chance to actually listen to the lecture for the second time and also give them the ability to start, pause, and stop the lectures in order for them to takes notes without being rushed. I personally have a hard digesting everything while copying notes at the same times, which makes it hard to comprehend the key points of the lecture. “One teacher noticed that each year his MBA students would ask the same questions after his end-of-course summary, so he made a podcast of recurring questions and answers. After encouraging students to come up with new questions, he is now recording responses to those in an effort to compile a video archive of questions and answers” (cnn.com). If our university had every professor provide this luxury to its students I am sure each student would deeply appreciate it while having to deal with less stress of trying to figure out what the professor expects the students to understand. Although this may be very student oriented, non-college students can download and appreciate it the same way. According to bachelorsdegreeonline.com you can, “Visit iTunes U for free access to helpful courses that will enlighten you to the state of the economy, inspire you to start your own business, and give you a little more perspective on what you should be doing with your money”. If time is an option for you, than the new iTunes U could definitely help you out.