The document discusses using the iTunes U platform to deliver anatomy courses on mobile devices. Students provided positive feedback, finding it easy to navigate, motivating them to study more anatomy, and providing flexibility. They could access course materials anywhere via their mobile devices. The evaluation found iTunes U supported collaborative learning, delivered rich media that engaged students, and organized content and assignments. Suggestions included adding flashcards and cross-referencing to other resources to better support mobile learning. In conclusion, iTunes U provided a single platform mapped to the academic calendar and enhanced students' control over their learning during the anatomy course.

1. Dr.AkramJaffar
What difference is “iTunes U”
course making to anatomy
learners?
Akram Jaffar
and
Ayad Al-Moslih
University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

2. Disclosure Statement
I have no actual or potential conflict of interest in relation to this
presentation.


3. Dr.AkramJaffar
Rationale
• Technology-based
learning by means
of mobile is getting
increasingly
popular.
Generation Selfie
Everyone shown in this presentation gave permission to appear

4. Dr.AkramJaffar
Student’s opinion
Sabah

5. Dr.AkramJaffar
Aim
• Explore and evaluate the use of
iTunes U as a learning
management platform on mobile
handheld devices to deliver
anatomy courses.

6. Dr.AkramJaffar
What is iTunes U?
• iTunes U is an app for the iPad, iPhone, or iPod
touch.
• The U stands for university since the app allows
access to free courses that are taught by instructors
in schools and universities.

7. Dr.AkramJaffar
Features of iTunes U
• Access to free podcasts
and videos.

8. Dr.AkramJaffar
Features of iTunes U
• Access to courses
with features that
let users view the
course
assignment list,
track progress,
and make notes.

9. Dr.AkramJaffar
Types of courses
• Self-Paced:
– Allow students to begin and end a course at any time.
• In session:
– Taught in real time with calendar-based posts and assignments

10. Dr.AkramJaffar
Enrollment
• The course instructor shares an
“enroll code” with students.
• Each student enters the code in
iTunes U app.
• The course instructor receives the
enrolment request and approves it
through the iTunes U course
manager.
Enroll code
• GITAnatomy2014: J3Z-QXM-ZJ6
• GUAnatomy2014: HNV-7M4-N6A

11. Dr.AkramJaffar
iTunes U support

12. Dr.AkramJaffar
Methods - Targeted users
UAE
Middle East

13. Dr.AkramJaffar
Methods – Orienting the users
• Students were introduced to
iTunes U during the orientation
session at the beginning of
each system unit.
• A step-by-step video was
provided on YouTube.
• Additional FAQ section was
customized within the app.
“iTunes U in the context of anatomy course”

14. Dr.AkramJaffar
Methods – Anatomy courses
• Gastrointestinal anatomy
• Genitourinary anatomy
2013, Feb.-Jun.2014, Feb.-

15. Dr.AkramJaffar
Methods – Materials upload
• iTunes U course manager.

16. Dr.AkramJaffar
Methods – Focus group discussions
• Guided to generate a variety of ideas and opinions.

17. Dr.AkramJaffar
Exploring iTunes U
Anatomy Courses
• Fixed tabs in which the course materials were customized and
distributed.

18. Dr.AkramJaffar
Exploring - Info
• Default sections:
– Overview
– About the instructor
– Course outline
• Customized sections.

19. Dr.AkramJaffar
Exploring - Posts
• Paced according to course syllabus.
• Can also be reviewed as assignments
according to their due dates.

20. Dr.AkramJaffar
Exploring - Posts
• Once an assignment has been
fulfilled, it can be ticked as done.
• Push notifications are received once
new posts are uploaded.

21. Dr.AkramJaffar
Exploring - Assignments
• May contain links to downloadable
files or online material.
Downloadable file
Downloadable file
Online material
Online material

22. Dr.AkramJaffar
Exploring - Posts
• Syllabus item
• Human Anatomy Education
Channel on YouTube
• Selected YouTube videos
• Self-assessment
• Miscellaneous

23. Dr.AkramJaffar
Human Anatomy Education Channel
on YouTube
• Provided the additional
advantage of viewing videos
on an online social network
where they engage the
viewers in multiple ways of
interaction.

24. Dr.AkramJaffar
Selected YouTube videos
• Scrutinized for
appropriateness.
• Apart from credibility
issues, they matched
student levels of anatomy
knowledge and the
objectives of the course.

25. Dr.AkramJaffar
Self-assessment
• Students commented and were
engaged in discussions with other
Facebook page fans.
• The instructor, through Facebook,
received notifications about students’
engagement and provided feedback
when necessary.

26. Dr.AkramJaffar
Exploring iTunes U features - Materials
• Lists course items according to
file type.

27. Dr.AkramJaffar
Exploring iTunes U features - Search
• To select specific material
within the course, particularly
for revision before the
examination.
• Assignments were tagged with
certain terms when uploaded
so that searching for the word
“question” would list all the self-
assessment questions within
the course.

28. Dr.AkramJaffar
Evaluation of iTunes U
anatomy courses
• Students were comfortable
communicating via smart
phones and other mobile
devices.
• Easy navigation: furnished a
true App experience as
opposed to websites.

29. Dr.AkramJaffar
Evaluation of iTunes U
anatomy courses
• Fostered collaborative teaching and learning by
incorporating social networking sites.
Sulaima

30. Dr.AkramJaffar
Evaluation of iTunes U
anatomy courses
• Delivered more media richness which the students
expect to be a part of their learning experience
particularly in anatomy.
Sulaima

31. Dr.AkramJaffar
Noor: “it actually encouraged me to read anatomy. I actually
never read anatomy this much before, during my year and a half
here!”
Evaluation of iTunes U
anatomy courses
• Motivated students to follow up course content.

32. Dr.AkramJaffar
Evaluation of iTunes U
anatomy courses
• Functioned as a study organizer through features like
organized view of course content, push notifications,
to-do style learning tasks, and notes.
• Afforded flexibility in following and retrieving the
course materials; assignments can be accessed either
according to a schedule or according to search key
word.

33. Dr.AkramJaffar
Evaluation of iTunes U
anatomy courses
• Provided on-the-move access to course material.
• Satisfied time management need of students.
Tariq

34. Dr.AkramJaffar
Suggestions for iTunes U
anatomy courses
• Include more flash cards and summarizing ideas to cope with the
on-the-go nature of mobile learning.
• Cross referencing to a previous anatomy resource.
AbdulRahman

35. Dr.AkramJaffar
Suggestions for iTunes U App
• Compatibility with other mobile manufacturers.
• Include a forum or a chat on iTunes U for interaction.
Dalia

36. Dr.AkramJaffar
Conclusions
• Provided a single platform mapped against the academic calendar,
which students would be able to view by session’s date and title.
• Enhanced students control and or follow up of their learning during
the anatomy course.
• Provided the opportunity to link to related material on social
networking sites and benefit from the interactive and collaborative
environment of these platforms.

37. Dr.AkramJaffar
Acknowledgment
I would like to appreciate the contribution of our enthusiastic students
who encouraged us to make their learning different.