Sermons and the gospel message now have another medium through which to spread to the world.
Apple has partnered with Christian universities to distribute sermons, Christian lectures, chapel services, presentations and Christian media, concerts, performances, and sports highlights for free through its popular music and media software, iTunes.
Through Apple’s iTunes U, Christian universities are able to upload their content – along with a customizable design – to Apple servers, from where students are able to download the free content to their iPods and listen while working out in the campus gym, waiting for the bus, or walking around town.
Students also have the option to listen from their computer in the comfort of their dorm room, apartment, or home.
“iTunes U makes it easy for anyone to access amazing educational material from many of the country’s most respected colleges and universities,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s vice president of iTunes, in a statement for the launch of iTunes U earlier this year.
“Education is a lifelong pursuit and we’re pleased to give everyone the ability to download lectures, speeches and other academic content for free,” he added.
Seattle Pacific University was one of the Christian universities selected by Apple to pioneer the service. The school, with under 4,000 students, reported having 20,000 downloads per month — rivaling the usage of much larger schools. In many cases, the content is free and open to the public.
As popularity of iTunes U grows, one issue has been whether or not students will skip class and listen to their lecture later, or on the go.
“I think it would be tempting for some people to not go to class,” admitted freshman Rebecca Alberta at Seattle Pacific University, according to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
Speaking for herself, however, Alberta said she hasn’t been tempted to skip class.
“I am a visual learner and need to go to class or I don’t understand what’s going on,” she said. “I always forget about iTunes until later, anyways.”
Out of 28 colleges featured on the Apple homepage for iTunes U, several are Christian universities and seminaries. Listed along with renowned universities Stanford, Yale, MIT, and UC Berkeley are Abilene Christian University, Concordia Seminary, Gordon College, Reformed Theological Seminary, and Seattle Pacific University. Other Christian universities that are using the service but are not featured include Covenant College in Georgia and Regent University in Virginia.
While lecturers of secular subjects at universities like Stanford and UC Berkeley are amazed by the ability of this software to reach a worldwide audience, the service has a special meaning for Christians.
“We are excited about this opportunity to offer free resources to the greater Covenant College community and in fact to a worldwide audience, and thereby spread the gospel message and thoughtful Christ-centered teaching to anyone who would like to benefit from these resources,” stated Covenant College on its website regarding their recent partnership with Apple.
Besides current students, users taking advantage of the service have been alumni and potential new university students and parents.
“Alumni have enjoyed re-connecting with the College and listening in on chapel presentations or lectures, while prospective parents and students have gotten a chance to experience life at Gordon from afar,” informed Gordon College in a statement .
Schools may choose to make content accessible only to current students or to the public. Apple currently plans to keep the service free.
Comments
Amen.. that's the way to go. Thanks for the writeup. Very good article.