There are several components incorporated into iTunes that already exist in other form. For example, the page that stores all the offered courses and other information, such as presentations, videos, etc are displayed on the collection page that looks like the online bookstore shelf collection. Second, the in-session and self-paced courses are basically webcam classes offered to students exist at UC Berkeley, and other schools.
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There are also other features you can find more information here: http://www.patentlyapple.com/patently-apple/2013/04/apples-virtual-university-patent-finally-comes-to-light.html
All the features iTunes U are offering do not seem like an introduction of new technologies Apple has developed. They seem like a collection of existing ideas in a package, and market it to the customers. iTunes U brings back to the point I mentioned in my old posts that this iTunes U patent seems like another marketing package tool to gain more revenue rather than promoting innovation. I am a little bit disappointed at Apple. The idea of iTunes U could be more modified. However, I still support the traditional education method rather than transferring to the whole education method virtually. Even though, iTunes U could make learning a lot more convenient for a lot of people, it loses a lot of values you learn from a traditional classroom. It definitely loses the interaction and teamwork building that people value. It seems like the world is turning into a digital world, where people are interacting less and less face-to-face basis.
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