La Trobe University launches courses on iTunes

When La Trobe University launched its first tertiary courses on iTunes this week it was also rewarded with its three millionth podcast downloaded from more than 150 countries.

 

La Trobe University became the first Australian university to launch courses on iTunes U this week.

Since its launch in October 2009, La Trobe University on iTunes U has established itself as an important member of the iTunes U community, with more than 600 podcasts and videos covering the spread of the University's wealth of knowledge.

La Trobe is the first Australian university on iTunes to release iTunes U courses, a new delivery method from Apple Corporation which allows a worldwide audience to access freely available course teaching material at the same time as students, regardless of location or enrolment.

Two courses History of Children's Literature and The European Union in the New Millennium are now available, with more to follow as the semester progresses.

La Trobe lecturer Stefan Auer, who teaches on the European Union, said he was excited by the prospect of a huge worldwide audience for his teaching.

"This is a very exciting time to study contemporary European politics and I am thrilled about this new platform, which we can use to reach students well beyond our campus," Dr Auer said. "The EU is global, and so is our subject"

Since 2009 La Trobe University has been providing a wide range of free material including lectures, interviews, and videos, reaching thousands of new listeners and potential students on a daily basis. 

Notable interviews include former Prime Minister of Australia Malcolm Fraser, Nobel Prize winner in medicine Professor Harald zur Hausen, human rights and refugee advocate Julian Burnside, former Australian of the Year Prof. Patrick McGorry, and many respected La Trobe University academics.

"I'm delighted that La Trobe University continues to be at the forefront of developments in online digital education," said senior deputy vice-chancellor John Rosenberg.

"iTunes U courses bring all relevant material together to make it simple for anyone who wants to study a subject, however complex or challenging it might be.

"This is an idea that fits perfectly with La Trobe University's founding philosophy to make education available to everyone," he said.

http://itunes.apple.com/au/institution/la-trobe-university/id380435656

ends