Apple updates iTunes U app

While today is Mountain Lion's big coming out party, Apple also released an updated version of its iTunes U learning app for iPhone and iPad now featuring note taking as well as advanced search.

The update allows ability for teachers to now create private courses. Where previously content on iTune U was viewable by anyone, educators can now invite select students to participate in a course privately. 

- Any teacher can sign-up to offer courses via iTunes U - previously this option was only available to institutions. 

- Powerful new note taking features for audio and video let students easily search their notes and they can choose to be taking quickly to the relevant place that note references in any video or audio clip. 

- Deeper integration of social media tools such as twitter and IM are driving significant new ways of collaboration and sharing among students learning online.

Overview for iTunes U v1.2:

iTunes U 1.2 now makes it easy to take notes while watching or listening to a lecture. This update also adds the ability 

to search within posts, assignments, notes, and materials — from any of your subscribed courses — using the improved 

Search feature in iTunes U. It is also now simple to share your favorite courses with friends using Twitter, Mail, and Messages.

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.

Features:

Free courses in a wide array of subjects

• Take free courses created and taught by instructors from leading universities and other schools

• See all assignments and updates from the instructor in one place, and check off assignments as you complete them

• Take notes and highlight text in iBooks and see them consolidated for easy reviewing in the iTunes U app

• Take course notes in class, or while playing audio or video lectures inside of iTunes U

• Access course materials, including audio, video, books, documents & presentations, apps and more

• Share your favorite courses with friends using Twitter, Mail, and Messages

The world’s largest catalog of free education content

• Choose from more than 500,000 free lectures, videos, books, and other resources on thousands of subjects from Algebra to Zoology

• Browse collections from education and cultural institutions in 26 countries — including Stanford, Yale, MIT, Oxford, 

   UC Berkeley, MoMA, the New York Public Library, and the Library of Congress

Requirements:

• iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS 5 or later

• An Apple ID set up for use on the iTunes Store

• iTunes 10.5.2 or later is required to sync with a computer

• The selection of courses, collections, and availability of content linked from within a course may vary by country