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The cost of education is a huge issue in America, and I often wonder if my student debt will ever really go away.  Sometimes I want to go back to school (and sometimes I do) but more often, I realize that time and resources just will not permit me to take on a full-time course load or interrupt my schedule to do homework and go to class.  So what can I do?  Stop learning?  No way.  I’d rather take intensive weekend classes, read a book or…listen to a podcast.

iTunes U offers colleges the chance to stream lectures, panels, speeches and video online through a special tab in the iTunes Store.

Some material is limited to college affiliates and is password protected, but there’s still plenty open-access material you can enjoy for free.
(via the iTunes U information website)

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Think outside the classroom.

Learning no longer happens only at a desk. Students now expect constant access to information, no matter where they are. Which is exactly why more and more faculty are using iTunes U to distribute digital lessons to their students.

WATCH THE VIDEO

TITLE : Do or DIY with People Like Us

SUPPORT : WFMU

WEB : wfmu.org/playlists/PL and peoplelikeus.org/radio.htm

LENGTH : 20 minutes - 3 hours

STYLE : sound art, DJ, mix

CONCEPT

A simultaneous mix of what’s low-brow and high-brow in music.  Very original.  Requires some attention.

CONTENT

Totally unexpected.  There’s world music, classic rock, pop, live noise from the environment, screaming, cheering, cartoon noise bloopers, and probably more I haven’t even picked up on.  Songs are often played simultaneously, creating rich, interesting melodies almost by accident.

LISTENING EXPERIENCE 

Some pieces will draw you in more than others.  The hits are hits though, and what isn’t appealing usually involves screaming.  But if you’re into screaming, you might enjoy every minute of every episode.

BEST PLACE TO LISTEN

In the studio doing what you do, use it to tune out construction, or sit at home and listen alone.

TITLE : Marketplace

SUPPORT : American Public Media

WEB : marketplace.publicradio.org

LENGTH : 28 minutes

STYLE : news, produced

CONCEPT

Exploring the current market inside and out.  How small business fits into it, how big businesses stand up to it, and how we all benefit (or fail) when it comes to shaking our veritable money-makers.

CONTENT

I hate money.  I don’t get it.  But for some reason, I look forward to hearing Marketplace every day.  I’m always up on this program, even when I haven’t listened to TAL in a month.  It’s timely and interesting, and for someone who doesn’t read the daily news, I find that I’m able to stay pretty current with global affairs and technology by listening to less than a half-hour of Marketplace each day.  We’ve all come to realize that the economy affects way more than your granddaddy’s stock portfolio, and Marketplace succeeds in their effort to inject the human aspects of money management and circulation into what comes across in other venues as a very dry subject.

PRODUCTION

American Public Media brings us The Splendid Table, A Prairie Home Companion, The Story and American Routes — they certainly didn’t drop the ball with Marketplace.

MUSIC

I love that every time the market’s up they play “We’re in the Money” and when it’s down they play “Stormy Weather.”  The rest of the music is fine too, but the different renditions those two songs just crack me up each time.  It’s a good running gag.