TAMPA, Fla.  (Oct. 6, 2011) – The University of South Florida, whose 2006 partnership with Apple’s iTunes U has led to tens of millions of downloads of classic literature and lectures around the world, while the use of Apple technology has modernized care at USF Health, is saluting the legacy of Apple co-founder and visionary Steve Jobs.

Jobs and Apple’s commitment to education has been at the forefront of the unique and successful partnership built between USF and the computer giant. Since becoming one of the first universities to partner with Apple in iTunes U, USF has consistently ranked among the top in downloads from the educational site.

USF ranks fourth in iTunes U downloads among 270 universities, according to the 2011 social media report from Web Strategy Research. Lit2Go provides audio versions of the world’s great classic literature as well as a variety of university lectures and course content free to anyone with the capability to download it. USF’s iTunes U project is the brainchild of the university’s Florida Center for Instructional Technology.

Dr. Stephen Klasko, CEO of USF Health and dean of the College of Medicine, worked with Apple to convene a group of health deans nationwide looking at ways to implement mobile technology in teaching health professions students.

In addition to iTunes U, USF has forged other important partnerships with Apple to advance educational opportunities.

Stephen Klasko, Senior Vice President for USF Health and Dean of USF’s College of Medicine chaired an Apple working group of health deans nationwide to look at ways to implement mobile technology in teaching for all students in health disciplines. As a result, Apple sponsored a conference with USF Health that drew 200 medical and other health educators to talk about the digital future for healthcare.

This year, two major programs have been launched with the help of digital curriculum on iPADs – the new College of Pharmacy and the new leadership track in medicine called SELECT, a program partnership between USF and Lehigh Valley Health Network that prepares new physician leaders.

USF College of Pharmacy students review curriculum on their new iPads.

In 2010, the USF College of Medicine’s Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine released released one of the first applications developed for the iPad to allow on-demand streaming of infectious disease-related podcasts for healthcare professionals and students.  The IDPodcasts Mobile Viewer Version 2.0, co-developed by Dr.Richard Oehler and Division Director John T. Sinnott, was the first iPad-compatible universal  application developed by USF.

In 2009, USF launched a unique educational program providing all of its student athletes with access to a MacBook Pro 13-inch notebook computer every semester.  As part of the program, USF will be adding new lectures to iTunes U enabling traveling student athletes to access class materials no matter their location.

And in 2008, USF President Judy Genshaft was invited to the company’s California headquarters to address several hundred Apple executives on the future of education.

Story by Vickie Chachere, and photo by Amy Mariani, USF Health Communications