Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Montgomery County Community College has partnered with Apple Education to become part of iTunes University (iTunes U). Part of Apple’s iTunes Store, iTune U features more than 20,000 educational multimedia files from universities, museums and public media organizations from around the world.
"In becoming an iTunes University partner, Montgomery County Community College is able to provide students and faculty with an innovative tool that enhances both classroom and online learning," said Dr. Stout. "It also positions our faculty globally as experts in their fields, as they are able to provide content in their respective disciplines to a global audience. Finally, iTune U provides students who are studying communications and digital arts with another venue, along with You-Tube and the College’s own website, to showcase their multi-media work, helping them to build their portfolios and to establish themselves in their chosen careers."
The College’s iTunes U site currently features academic lectures and multimedia presentations by faculty; student-produced projects in audio, video and multimedia design; audio and video news podcasts; and "MC3 On the Air," an interview-format radio show hosted by College President Karen A. Stout. Officially launched on Aug. 26 with more than 100 podcasts, the College looks to grow its iTunes site over the next year and beyond.
In 2008, the College was named the top technologically-advanced community college in the nation by the Center for Digital Education and Converge magazine. The honor recognized the College’s commitment to using data to make decisions and improving student outcomes and success through the use of technology.
"The College has a tremendous amount of technology, but without the creativity and innovation on the part of our faculty, even the best technology is just stuff," said Dr. Stout. "By adapting national best practices, we are constantly assessing ourselves, always trying to make our student outcomes better using technology as a tool to focus on teaching and learning."
To access the College’s iTunes U library, visit the www.apple.com and download iTunes.
