It is the latest initiative in Arkansas designed to extend learning beyond the classroom. We are one of the many universities, state agencies, and not-for-profit cultural institutions to distribute educational media to the world for free through iTunes U. With iTunes U,interested users can “learn on the go” by downloading audio and video content onto a mobile device or any computer with Internet access.
Our mission is to promote the distribution of educational media for students, educators, and the public, foster the innovation of students and educators as they create content for audiences beyond the classroom, and make a variety of learning experiences accessible on demand.
Take a video speed tour of some of the teacher-created content from the summer of 2011.
When students download and play tracks related to courses they are studying, iTunes U works with the classroom teacher to maximize instructional impact. Teachers can use video and audio tracks in iTunes U for engagement – allowing students to engage with a topic, activate background knowledge, and come to class motivated to learn. They can use these tracks for reteaching – helping students to reinforce a key concept and clarify misconceptions so that they can have that “aha” moment and move forward in their learning. Students can also select and use tracks strategically to explore connections and applications that enrich their learning. iTunes U, a universal platform that provides access to a wealth of educational content, makes it easy for users to take control of their own learning.
Find out more about Arkansas education content on iTunes U by visiting http://adepodcast.arkansas.gov and explore our podcasts by searching for us in iTunes.
Three O.U.R. COOP schools participated in a pilot project to see how two digital learning environments, Arkansas on iTunes U and the Arkansas Digital Sandbox, work in the classroom. Teachers and students from Valley Springs HS, Alpena HS, and Harrison MS collaborated on this project. Results were shared at the November 2011 Arkansas Curriculum Conference in a program entitled, "Making It Work".
Excerpts from this program are included in the video below, shown at the December 2011 O.U.R. CO-OP Instructional Leaders Meeting. (It may take a minute for video to load).
