Apple has updated iTunes U to include discussion features for students and course creation tools for teachers. This update has been expected for a couple weeks now as Eddie Cue announced the update late last month, promising iTunes U users the “ability to better manage and discuss educational content.”
With version 2.0 of iTunes U, students in private courses can answer questions posted by fellow students, ask questions, and jump into class discussions. Students and teachers both receive these discussions via push notifications, so there’s no excuse for slackers not to participate.
Teachers also get a slew of new features with the ability to create courses, send outlines, and upload and distribute course materials using iTunes U 2.0. Teachers can use the iPad’s camera to add photos and videos to their courses as well as use the newly added iWork share sheet options to send Pages, Keynote, and Numbers docs to students.
Additionally, teachers at “qualified institutions” can now publish their courses directly to the iTunes U catalog, offering them for free to other educators around the globe.
