If you recently updated your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch to iOS 6, there may be a few new applications that you have never seen before. You might be wondering what is iTunes U?  iTunes U allows you to access free courses from a wide variety of Universities and institutions, including some of the most regarding Universities in the nation and around the world.  iTunes U is pretty revolutionary in providing this free education.  We all know how selective schools such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Stanford University are, but now anyone can benefit from courses by these established schools with iTunes U.

The iTunes U Library is pretty extensive, with many schools, channels, classes and courses to choose from.  Here is a list of our top iTunes U courses to help get you started..

Best iTunes U Courses

The Open University iTunes U Courses

• Digital Film School by The Open University – Learn the basics of video editing, how to conduct an interview, the role of the producer, other crew members, and how to archive your finished product.  Digital Film School by The Open University includes lessons on how to use various video editing software including iMove, Windows Live Movie Makers, Adobe Premiere CS5, and Final Cut Pro. View Digital Film School (The Open University) in iTunes U

• Design and Designing by The Open University – Learn the basics of drawing and design, how to draw three-dimensional objects, show perspective in drawing and sketch complex objects.  Design and Designing with The Open University includes lessons on various design and drawing techniques such as shading, toning, modeling objects like chairs and cd cases, shapes, vanishing points, and cubic designs.  View Design and Designing (The Open University) in iTunes U

Stanford University iTunes U Courses

• How I Write by Stanford University – Stanford faculty and other advanced writers come together to speak about their writing techniques and experiences.  Authors talk about how they generate ideas when writing for various different genres from plays, to drama, to biographies, to film and television, to poetry. View How I Write (Stanford University) in iTunes U

• Hoover Institution Courses by Stanford University – The Hoover Institution on War, Revolution and Peace, Stanford University, is a public policy research center devoted to advanced study of politics, economics, and political economy — both domestic and foreign — as well as international affairs.  Courses cover various topics in politics and public policy from Syria, Egypt, and Iran, to presidential elections and economic crisis.  View Hoover Institution Courses (Stanford University) in iTunes U

TED iTunes U Courses

• Understanding Happiness by TED – TED speakers explore the psychology and science of happiness from cultural, political, and cultural angels.  Several psychologists discuss how happiness is created and cultivated. View Hoover Institution Courses (TED) in iTunes U

Make sure to check out all the other wonderful free courses on iTunes U. If you are looking for some quality math, engineering, and physics classes check out the MIT iTunes U channel. Check out UC Berkley iTunes U channel for wonderful science lessons, and University of Cambridge for an entrepreneurial lecture series.

 
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By Samantha Zerman