Saturday, June 30, 2012

iTunes University for Writers


Have you been to iTunes University yet? It's a cool app where lectures by university professors are available for free. Here's the description from Apple:

The iTunes U app gives you access to complete courses from leading universities and other schools--plus the world's largest digital catalog of free education content--right on your iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch. Whether you're majoring in molecular biology at a university, taking Spanish in high school, or just interested in European history, you now have a valuable tool to help you learn anytime, anywhere.

When I first heard about iTunes U, I wondered if there were any goodies for writers. And yep, there are! All you have to do is download the free  iTunes U app.

Here are some podcasts that might interest you (BTW, I couldn't bring up links on my Macbook, only on my iPhone. Operator error? Perhaps!):

Search Results for "Writing"
Writing Creatively: Fiction
Writing Creatively: Plays
Writing Creatively: Poetry
Mass Communication Writing (Blogging, Advertising)
Advanced Research and Writing
Criminal Justice Research and Writing

Search Results for "Literature"
Postcolonial Literature for Children
History of Children's Literature
Studies in World Literatures
Genres in Children's Literature
12th Grade British Literature

Search Results for "Storytelling"
Using Digital Storytelling to Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity

Search Results for "Characterization"
Literary Concepts Made Easy

Search Results for "Books"
Classroom Applications for Media-rich Interactive Books

Search Results for "Book Publishing"
Continuing Studies: Writing

Search Results for "Book Marketing"
Stanford Professional Publishing Courses

And just because she's awesome...Search Results for "Austen"
The Novels of Jane Austen

The course list is huge! It was fun to search and search and search and see all that's available out there for us. Not only for writing, but for anything else that interests us. Cool, huh?

Have you heard of iTunes U? Have you listened to any of the podcasts? Or studied the course material? I'd love to hear your opinion.

41 comments:

  1. ahhhhhhh, Julie

    Like I needed ONE MORE avenue outside blogs and FB to take me away from my writing.

    *weeping uncontrollably*

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    1. LOL! Sorry, Mac! At least these can be listened to while driving or walking or working :)

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  2. Oh WOW! Oh WOW!! I hadn't heard of this. I love it. Thank you so much for sharing it, Julie.

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  3. I'm going to check out this app! Maybe I'll learn something useful from it.

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  4. Wow, super cool! Will have to download it. Thanks for sharing!! :) Have an excellent holiday week!

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    1. Thanks, Pk. I saw a news story about it. A pest control guy was learning about philosophy or biology or something while he was spraying for bugs :)

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  5. I didn't even know about this. Thanks, Julie. I'll have to check it out. There are some cool looking courses. :)

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    1. That's what I thought! I love all this cool information that's available to us now.

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  6. Duh, I knew about this and haven't used it. Off to search for Ron Carlson's lectures on short story writing. Fingers crossed. Thanks for the nudge.

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    1. Oooh, I wonder if the search will be easier since you're picking something specific.

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  7. Thanks for the heads up on this! I'll check it out. Have a great holiday!

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  8. This is a great list Julie. I knew about ITunesU but never thought about searching for writing courses.

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    1. Karen, I was blown away by all the goodies out there. I'm keeping it in mind for my high schooler, too!

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  9. Hmmm. . . looks like my iPad cane be more than just a distraction now. ;) Thanks for sharing!

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    1. LOL! Exactly! And maybe a tax write off too :)

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  10. Thanks so much for sharing, Julie. That app sounds wonderful. I can't believe it's free.

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  11. What's this? You mean iTunes is more than just music? ;) Perhaps I'll have to mosy on over and see what they've got. Thanks for the tip, Julie.

    -Jimmy

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    1. Jimmy, I've learned that all kinds of odd stuff runs through iTunes!! Who woulda thunk it?

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  12. This is soooo cool! I am enrolling! Thank you Julie. I love school. I love to learn. And free? Yay!

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    1. Me too! Now I just have to choose what to learn first :)

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  13. Very cool! Now I just need an iPad... because I don't have enough gadgets as it is!!

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    1. LOL! What a good excuse to get one! No iPhone for you? Then an iPad is a must-have :)

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  14. I have an iPhone but I did not know about this app. Thank you!

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    1. You're welcome! I hope you find some fun courses

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  15. I've never heard of this before. It sounds amazing--drat, I wish I had an iPad/iPhone to use it on!

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  16. Cool App, I think DH was telling me about this the other day. I'll have to check it out.

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  17. Thanks for the info! I'd never heard of this before. See, the stuff we learn by sharing is priceless. Love the writing community!

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    1. Michele, I feel the same way about the writing community. I love how information is shared instead of hoarded :)

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  18. I'd never of this before but I just downloaded it to my iPhone. Thanks for the info!

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    1. Nancy, I wonder if it could even help your son @ school ??

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  19. I always learn some cool new tidbit from you. THanks for this great info!
    Nutschell
    www.thewritingnut.com

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  20. This is awesome! I've been listening to a lot of podcasts lately so I should download this app to add to my list. :)

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    1. Ghenet, I want to download them for when I take walks! And my car is a 2005, with no iPod connections. I need to remedy that! If you listen to some courses, I hope you enjoy them :)

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  21. What an interesting resource! I may have to check it out. Loved that you did search on Austen!

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