Apple To Visit Concordia Seminary

Apple Computer has a new pilot program for universities that promises to bringaudio and video content directly to the student through the iTunesinterface. Stanford University helped to pilot the program and nowApple is making it available to a small number of colleges anduniversities. So as soon as I heard about the program, I gave Apple a call to see ifConcordia Seminary would qualify.Next Friday, an Apple representativewill be on campus to see if we can bring iTunes U toConcordia. I think that this program could revolutionize ourdistant education offerings as well as make a wealth of theologicalknowledge accessible to anyone with a computer. It is my hope to offer Greek and Hebrew classes, basic Christian doctrine and other course materials free to anyone with an Internetconnection. Hopefully next Friday will bring us one step closer. Belowis a quote from the Apple website:

Education beyond the classroom

iTunes U is a free,hosted service for colleges and universities that provides easy accessto your educational content, including lectures and interviews 24 hoursa day, 7 days a week.It’s the most powerful way to manage a broad range ofaudio or video content and make it available quickly and easily tostudents, faculty, and staff. And it is the only application thatsupports the overwhelmingly popular iPod. iTunes U also offers you thesimplicity and mobility you expect from Apple because it is based onthe same easy-to-use technology of iTunes Music Store.Through iTunes U, users can download content to their Macs or PCsregardless of their location. They can then listen to and view contenton their Mac or PC or transfer that content to iPod for listening orviewing on the go.