Laurent’s blog

Itunes U allows to learn during transit times

The missing link towards an OpenDiploma

Did you know iTunes U was launched almost a year ago? While asking around, I realized none of my ipod/podcast friends knew about it. Having deserted the itunes world a few months ago when my first generation ipod’s battery died, I wasn’t using iTunes at all. Until I decided to start running again. Then only did I get my hands on the brand new nano and rediscovered iTunes.

After selecting all the usual podcasts, radios, and reorganizing my music library (it was split across 2 laptops and an external hd - but that’s a different story), I toured the interface only to discover a [NEW] icon next to iTunes U. It presents, in a simple and straightforward way, recordings of lectures given at more than 40 mostly US universities, including the well known MIT, Berkeley, Stanford and Yale. And, exactly the same way as when a student register for a program, cursus are suggested with a complete syllabus and corresponding tracks. That’s how I was able to ramp up my History of the International System thanks to Standford professor James Sheehan’s full 10 sessions.

I’ve tried a few times to use the OpenUniversity concept to my advantage by downloading lecture notes from MIT Open Courseware. Although moved by good intentions, I was not able to find the time, energy and patience to review the notes offline. Only by listening to the classes did I get the “kick” I needed and was able to easily “fit” the learning back into our busy lives. Walking, driving, subways and planes are all places where we are in transit with little time to do something concrete.

It’s then that I realized that we are just one step away from the OpenDiploma where you can listen to classes on the go, while having the class notes and material at your disposal. Only the exams are really missing. Now imagine, to solve the problem, that Pearson Vue begins offering exam supports for some of these open programs! You could get a diploma from Stanford or Yale without being formally registered, while following your own program. Pearson Vue is the company that delivers exams (including LSAT and GMAT) at testing centers worldwide, so they could be in good position to diversify.

This is certainly a new opportunity for an entrepreneur. And could these diploma ever become credible?