Curriculum Tools

Autodesk To Offer Design Academy Free Through iTunes U

• By Joshua Bolkan
• 06/29/15

Autodesk will release the Autodesk Design Academy, a collection of curriculum resources, available through iTunes U.

"Developed by educators and subject matter experts across the globe, the Autodesk Design Academy provides hundreds of standards-aligned class projects to support design-based disciplines in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) while using Autodesk's professional-grade 3D design, engineering and entertainment software used in industry," according to a news release.

The company is also launching the Autodesk Design Academy Multi-Touch Book, a resource featuring learning materials focused on Autodesk SketchBook Express, for digital art and concept sketching.

The move is part of an initiative from the company launched in December 2014 that aims to make access to its design and creativity software freely available and accessible to schools and students.

"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 Randy Swearer, vice president of education at Autodesk, in a prepared statement. "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."

The Design Academy and book will both be available through iTunes U beginning in the fall.