Using the iTunes U platform, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) educators and students will be able to access hundreds of class design projects that teach Autodesk’s 3D design software.

“The new Autodesk Design Academy iTunes U course helps us to bring best-in-class resources to more schools, establishing a future pipeline of designers, architects and engineers,” said Randy Swearer, vice president education at Autodesk.

The content is developed by educators and Autodesk CAD/CAE/CAM experts to teach students how to engineer their own products using industry-level 3D design software. Autodesk Fusion 360 will be used but many of the skills should be transferable to other systems.

“Autodesk software is used heavily in the engineering industry, and I want my students to know it well so they can jump right into a job without the employer needing to train them,” said Jennifer Hohne, a high school teacher in Lincoln City, Indiana.

The goal of Autodesk Design Academy is to:

• Build STEM and STEAM education in and outside the classroom
• Pass industry knowledge to students giving them a competitive edge
• Inspire creativity and innovation through multidisciplinary education and collaboration

The release is part of Autodesk’s commitment to share its technology with all educational institutions as a means to grow economies around the world (see previous story).

Bringing the course content onto iTunes U also has its advantages for STEM educators. The system accommodates the building of lesson plans, adding content, collecting assignments, grading and social media-like communication. In fact, the community focus of the iTunes U platform sounds similar to the cloud-based CAE platform trends embraced by Autodesk, ANSYS, and Dassault Systemes.

Art makes STEM into STEAM

Looking to Inject art into STEM programs, Autodesk, and other trend setters, created STEAM (science, technology, engineering, digital arts and math).

The Autodesk Design Academy follows this initiative by packaging the Multi-Touch book with its course. As a result, this course will include learning material for Autodesk SketchBook Express. This tool appears to mimic how artist’s ability to bring canvas sketches into full works of art on an iPad. The course and the Multi-touch book will both be available for free in the fall.

“Getting our curricula and learning resources to millions of educators for free through iTunes U and Multi-Touch books is a fantastic opportunity to empower students with the tools that will help them to imagine, design and create a better world,” said Swearer.

For free educational access to Autodesk software follow this link.

To gain access to the Autodesk Academy follow this link.