Apple unveils iTunes U for iPad

#1

Post by gadgetgurudude » Thu, Jan 19, 2012, 3:53 PM UTC

Re: Apple unveils iTunes U for iPad

#2

Post by moxiemk1 » Thu, Jan 19, 2012, 4:21 PM UTC

This announcement in particular stood out as meaningful to me, because it seems with the iTunes U app, Apple is taking on Blackboard.

There are few products that, as a student, more directly inhibit education than Blackboard. Ripe for disruption? More like rotting on the ground.

Re: Apple unveils iTunes U for iPad

#3

Post by davidblair » Thu, Jan 19, 2012, 4:56 PM UTC

moxiemk1 wrote: post #2

This announcement in particular stood out as meaningful to me, because it seems with the iTunes U app, Apple is taking on Blackboard. There are few products that, as a student, more directly inhibit education than Blackboard. Ripe for disruption? More like rotting on the ground.

The reason Blackboard doesn't have competition is due to the patents they hold. They have made a commitment not to sue free, open source projects, but as soon as you start charging money they are ready to protect their IP rights.

Re: Apple unveils iTunes U for iPad

#4

Post by algorithms » Thu, Jan 19, 2012, 5:00 PM UTC

I think Apple has the potential to change the way we handle information in both schools and hospitals (and of course private practices). Both of these are usually still using outdated Hardware/Software from ~2000 so they will have to be replaced in the near future.

I just don't know if it's good for a school to buy into a closed environment, like the one Apple provides.

Re: Apple unveils iTunes U for iPad

#5

Post by ceol » Thu, Jan 19, 2012, 5:09 PM UTC

algorithms wrote: post #4

I think Apple has the potential to change the way we handle information in both schools and hospitals (and of course private practices). Both of these are usually still using outdated Hardware/Software from ~2000 so they will have to be replaced in the near future. I just don't know if it's good for a school to buy into a closed environment, like the one Apple provides.

Don't most schools already buy into Microsoft's closed environment?

Re: Apple unveils iTunes U for iPad

#6

Post by lukejduncan » Thu, Jan 19, 2012, 5:17 PM UTC

algorithms wrote: post #4

I think Apple has the potential to change the way we handle information in both schools and hospitals (and of course private practices). Both of these are usually still using outdated Hardware/Software from ~2000 so they will have to be replaced in the near future. I just don't know if it's good for a school to buy into a closed environment, like the one Apple provides.

What's great about Apple entering the space is it inspires competitors. I'd love to see a bunch of businesses pop up around this.

Re: Apple unveils iTunes U for iPad

#7

Post by Groxx » Thu, Jan 19, 2012, 6:12 PM UTC

moxiemk1 wrote: post #2

This announcement in particular stood out as meaningful to me, because it seems with the iTunes U app, Apple is taking on Blackboard. There are few products that, as a student, more directly inhibit education than Blackboard. Ripe for disruption? More like rotting on the ground.

We can only hope. My university use(d|s) a competitor (sorry, name escapes me, though I supported it for a year or two) that was also crap. It's terrifying just how horrible these systems are.

Re: Apple unveils iTunes U for iPad

#8

Post by mdwrigh2 » Thu, Jan 19, 2012, 6:22 PM UTC

Groxx wrote: post #7

moxiemk1 wrote: post #2

This announcement in particular stood out as meaningful to me, because it seems with the iTunes U app, Apple is taking on Blackboard. There are few products that, as a student, more directly inhibit education than Blackboard. Ripe for disruption? More like rotting on the ground.

We can only hope. My university use(d|s) a competitor (sorry, name escapes me, though I supported it for a year or two) that was also crap. It's terrifying just how horrible these systems are.

Was it Moodle by chance? That's the only competitor to Blackboard I've ever seen.

Re: Apple unveils iTunes U for iPad

#9

Post by unreal37 » Thu, Jan 19, 2012, 6:53 PM UTC

ceol wrote: post #5

algorithms wrote: post #4

I think Apple has the potential to change the way we handle information in both schools and hospitals (and of course private practices). Both of these are usually still using outdated Hardware/Software from ~2000 so they will have to be replaced in the near future. I just don't know if it's good for a school to buy into a closed environment, like the one Apple provides.

Don't most schools already buy into Microsoft's closed environment?

Does Microsoft charge you a fee to develop and sell an app? No. But once you're locked into the iApps, iBooks, iTunes U, iUniverse - Apple gets its 30% off the top. And no alternatives are allowed.

Re: Apple unveils iTunes U for iPad

#10

Post by callil » Thu, Jan 19, 2012, 6:57 PM UTC

Groxx wrote: post #7

moxiemk1 wrote: post #2

This announcement in particular stood out as meaningful to me, because it seems with the iTunes U app, Apple is taking on Blackboard. There are few products that, as a student, more directly inhibit education than Blackboard. Ripe for disruption? More like rotting on the ground.

We can only hope. My university use(d|s) a competitor (sorry, name escapes me, though I supported it for a year or two) that was also crap. It's terrifying just how horrible these systems are.

http://coursekit.com/ has been advertised a bunch at my school lately, I haven't used it, but their design and implementation seems interesting