University News Last updated 04 August 2009
To reach a new generation of students Birmingham City University has launched its own area on iTunes U - a dedicated area of the iTunes Store featuring editorial content.
iTunes U gives learners and anybody with a thirst for knowledge FREE access to a library of educational podcasts, similar to the way music-lovers have flexible access to music using Apple's ground-breaking iTunes Store.
Birmingham City University, an innovator in hi-tech teaching, has launched with more than 200 podcasts on iTunes U - with more to follow. To find the University on iTunes U visit: itunes.bcu.ac.uk.
The learning store will be an invaluable resource to both students and the wider community, featuring a wealth of audio and video content that spans a range of sectors, such as the arts, performance, design, the creative industries, health, the humanities, green issues and university life. Content includes:
- a welcome message from Vice-Chancellor Professor David Tidmarsh
- talks by leading experts such as David Lowe, who has composed the theme music for BBC news
- showcases by leading Classical performers, such as American composer and virtuoso pianist Frederic Rzewski.
Visitors will also discover award-winning student animation, professional documentaries, specialist skills workshops for vocational courses such as nursing, plus tutorials, lectures and roundtable talks by academics from a mix of disciplines.
Using iTunes U, digital material can be easily downloaded onto mobile technology, such as the iconic iPod or iPhone, or simply viewed on a PC or Mac. Users who do not wish to enter the iTunes Store to also access the free material via www.bcu.ac.uk/podcasts.
"iTunes U at Birmingham City University is a very exciting development - a real coup," said Oliver Williams, who has led the project to implement iTunes U at Birmingham City University.
"iTunes U enables us to share new knowledge, ideas and applied work with the world outside of the University by using the very latest in new technology.
"Users can access learning material anywhere, anytime. It might be an undergraduate on a train or bus making their way to a real world lecture on campus or someone on the opposite side of the world eager to watch a podcast on digital audio production."
Oliver Williams, who heads Birmingham City University's successful professional production unit, Screen Media Lab - part of Birmingham School of Media and based in Digbeth, Birmingham - has produced and edited much of the iTunes U content.