Open Sources – Excellent supplement to Online Learning

Browsing through the Open Sources listed on the resources, I chose Stanford on iTunes U: http://itunes.stanford.edu/ . I found it extremely organised and most especially the quality of the podcast or videos have been carefully selected to suit the listener whether he may be a beginner or a seasoned user. I suppose everyone at this point of time uses iTunes which facilitates an easy access to the site. If you do not have the application, it prompts you to download the application to your pc.

While browsing through the website, I continuously asked myself why did Stanford utilise iTunes for an Open Sources venue. As I clicked from course to course, podcast to podcast and watched some videos, I understood that it was a brilliant place on the internet to reach a lot of users since iTunes has been one of the most widely used music and video providers especially for the young people. What a better place to find an Open Source site than on iTunes?

The site presents itself well because it takes the format of iTunes which has optimum graphics and easy access to courses especially to a beginner. You can download the podcast or the video into your iPod or iTouch or pc and listen to it another time. The site also takes you to other related websites where similar lectures can be downloaded along with a video and the transcription of the lecture you choose to listen. The possibilities presented by Stanford University Open Source are endless allowing users to navigate and enjoy lectures to augment or compliment what they are doing at the moment at any time it suits them. It can take a form of an audiobook to listen to in a car while driving or a short movie one can use while in a waiting room.

I find this site innovative while respecting the classical lecture – podcast format which most users are familiar with. It provides different perspectives and allows the user to choose as well as decide for himself how to make connections using his previous and current acquired knowledge.

Obviously, this way of learning requires a lot self-motivation and initiative on the part of the learner. To give this option will surely enhance the teaching and learning on online courses. As Beldarrain (2006) states that new technology must first of all encourage interaction between faculty and students which leads to reciprocity amongst students. Utilising an asynchronous delivery of the subject matter, I do not believe that there is an option for the users to interact with each other therefore discussion boards should be added support this aspect. Lastly, since none of the courses are obligatory, chances are most learners will use them willingly and intrinsic motivation is the key to lifelong learning.

Malu

Reference
Stanford on iTunes U: http://itunes.stanford.edu/

Beldarrain, Y. (2006). Distance education trends: Integrating new technologies to foster student interaction and collaboration. Distance Education, 27(2), 139–153.