The Minnesota Department of Education and Apple have now established a partnership on iTunes U to create a portal for teachers to access, create, and share educational multimedia content and resources anytime and anywhere. This will lead our students and teachers to a meaningful learning experience and the ability to share content, strategies and best practices across the state and around the world.
This exciting multimedia experience will be announced in August of this year. The goals of Minnesota on iTunes U are to:
- Leverage state-supported projects of new digital media for Minnesota’s learners.
- Provide unlimited, free access to educational and professional development materials 24/7.
- Support alternative modes of content delivery beyond the classroom.
Educational Podcasts of high quality based on state and national curriculum standards is intended to bring unique resources that allow teachers to engage students in additional opportunities and perspectives about what they are learning.
I have been fortunate to play a role in working with The Minnesota Department of Education, but the exciting work has been the work that a few of us, as superintendents, have been able to do with Apple and the iTunes project. I am certain that this will be the future of education and a way for students to feel like they can be “plugged in” even while in school.
