OU puts ebooks on iTunes

The OU said it is one of the first universities to make ebooks available free in this way. The others are Oxford University and Rice University in Texas, United States. The iTunes U service allows higher education institutions to make audio and visual content available for download and subscription. Martin Bean, vice-chancellor of the Open University, said that he believes its approach to ebooks is unique. "We do not simply rework existing material and old style textbooks into an electronic format, but design carefully thought-through, interactive features that give the best all round learning experience," he said. "For example, if you are looking at a course on genetics, as you read the narrative the embedded audio and video illustrate key points as you go along, and if you are learning about Schubert's Lieder, with an OU ebook it's easy, you can hear the music as you follow the score. This really helps to bring subjects to life and simplifies things for students, as you don't have to be online or carry lots of different materials. The OU is now aiming to produce interactive ebook materials as part of routine future course production.