In an age where technology is moving faster than Usain Bolt off of the starting line, you can’t help but wonder where it will end. From chalkboards to interactive digital whiteboards, from textbooks and pencils to tablet computers and iBooks, the world of education is constantly evolving to take advantage of the digital revolution. Online universities and materials downloaded straight to your mobile phone seem to be the beginning.

Currently more than two-thirds of higher education institutions in the US offer online or part-online courses, including the prestigious Yale University. Meanwhile, other world-renowned universities such as Harvard and the University of California, Berkeley have begun an open source project, OER Commons where they provide free materials to their students.

The UK isn’t far behind with the Open University, an open access university where students can enrol and study from home. 263,000 students from 23 countries are enrolled making the OU an international pioneer of online degree courses.

Apple’s iTunes U download service is now being embraced by lecturers and universities worldwide. This means that students can now access materials and resources for their course and download them straight to their phone or computer. The Open Universities materials now makes up roughly 10% of iTunes U downloads, with an astonishing 31 million downloads to date.

There are a number of digital resources now readily available to students, including high-quality podcasts and televisual material which can be accessed on YouTube. Textbooks can now be downloaded and accessed at the press of a button containing interactive illustrations and select and search facilities.

So how will this affect the future of education? Well, surely it would mean that studying at Harvard may not mean relocating to the US? Long walks back from the library laden down with countless textbooks will be a thing of the past. And the highlighter pen will surely meet it’s untimely demise.

How have 21st century technological innovations changed the way you access educational resources? Do you think online learning is a positive step for higher education, or do you think the personal touch is more important? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Flinders University, established in 1966, enjoys a well-deserved reputation for excellence. The university welcomes international students, attracting students from over 100 countries.

Interested? Want to find out more? Download the Flinders app and get all of this:

• Learn more about Flinders University and South Australia
• View the International Prospectus
• Browse through course information – undergraduate and postgraduate
• Discover entertainment, sport and sightseeing in Adelaide
• Navigate through Adelaide with campus and city maps
• Complete the step by step international student application checklist
• Check out videos, photo galleries and student testimonials
• Stay up to date with the latest news and events

Other features include information about getting around Adelaide and where to eat, plus local weather forecasts. Users will also be able to use the app to join Flinders on Facebook and Twitter. All this for free.

Louise Singleton, head of design here at i-studentgroup, and part of the team who created the app says: “This app is great for international students who want to know more about Flinders University. There’s so much content and it’s easy to use, allowing users to have all the information they need to know about Flinders and Adelaide at their fingertips.”

Flinders University says: “Our app is unique in its structure and rich interactive content, and will be an instrumental tool in the promotion of our university to the international student market. It has the potential to enhance and revolutionise the Flinders experience for prospective and current students.”

To download the app to your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch for free, access the iTunes store on your device, or click here.

Have you downloaded the Flinders app? Tell us what you think.

The University of Central Lancashire has become the first UK university to launch its own iPhone application for their students.

The application was created during the summer break specifically with freshers (first year students) in mind. Director of Learning and Information Services, Michael Aherne said “At the beginning of term you’re always being stopped by students asking for directions, now they’re going to have the information they need in their pockets”.

Amongst the applications features are:

• Campus maps

• Fast webmail access

• Comprehensive library catalogue

• Staff directory

• The option to top up students’ printing accounts

• Facility to book meeting rooms in the university libraries

• Access to student union services such as booking tickets for events

The application can be downloaded for free from the Apple App Store and is compatible with both the iPhone and the iPod Touch. These features, however are not limited to iPhone users, the package is also available to access online via laptops and other web-enabled mobile phones.

“The new iPhone application illustrates our commitment to provide information and services to our students in a way that is convenient for them. Students today lead very busy lives — balancing study, part-time work and social activities. The iPhone application demonstrates how UCLan is increasingly able to support its students in a way that recognises their busy lifestyles and ensures they are able to get the most from the latest advancements in technology,” Ahern said.

Although this is the first iPhone application of its kind in the UK, a similar application was launched earlier this year in Canada by the University of Saskatchewan. A video demonstration of the application, iUSask is available here.

“The way the iPhone technology is advancing is remarkable, especially in its affect on education,” said Adam, a Digital Media Development student from Brighton. “It is surprising how quickly these technologies are infiltrating into universities, it all helps make studying and university life easier, especially features such as accessing library directories and topping up printing accounts.”

More information on the University of Central Lancashire application is available on their website.

A series of educational podcasts made by media experts at Birmingham City University has been given a global showcase on iTunes.

The ‘Interactive Cultures’ series of audio podcasts has been posted on iTunes U homepage and sits alongside items from the University of Oxford and The Open University.

Birmingham City University’s work, which includes features on contemporary cultural experiences in Birmingham as well as the city’s social and musical history has been selected by experts at Apple computers who scan the iTunes U content for podcasts that have relevance to a worldwide audience.

‘Interactive Cultures‘ brings together senior academics from the Birmingham School of Media involved in projects looking at how communities are created through social media.

“I am delighted that our staff are being recognised in the global arena for their leadership in understanding the changes that new and emerging media platforms are having on creative communities,” said Philip Thickett, Head of the Birmingham School of Media.

This success came just over a week after Birmingham City University launched its presence on iTunes U.

To find Birmingham City University on iTunes U, visit: itunes.bcu.ac.uk