Starting this Fall we will be using iTunes U instead of the Virtual Media Reserves (VMR) for course specific media and public presentations. Please read on for general information about iTunes U, along with specific information about how to use iTunes U in your courses this fall (especially important for those of you who have used the VMR in the past).
What is iTunes U?
Apple’s iTunes U provides educational audio and video from top universities, famous museums, PBS stations and other cultural institutions. This free service is available to anyone, not just students.
Why iTunes U?
iTunes U adds more functional and ease of use than the VMR. Most people have heard of iTunes and have used its simple cross platform interface to listen to podcasts, buy music or watch videos. This same popular interface will now be the gateway to your course media. iTunes also offers the ability to download media to iPods and iPhones although you don’t need these devices to view content on iTunes U. Any computer with Internet access and speakers can access the content. Apple stores all the content and streams the video from their servers. Hundreds of other Colleges and Universities are successfully using it for instructional purposes. For those of you new to iTunes U, click here for a short video introduction.
What do I need to do to set up my courses media in iTunes U?
We need your help to get things set up in iTunes U for your course. In order to post media to iTunes U we must convert the video from the original source using the specifications required by iTunes U. This is a time consuming process and we need your help to insure this is accomplished in a timely manner.
Please fill out the iTunes U Request Form for ANY media that you would like posted on iTunes U for your Fall Courses. If you have the video that needs to be put on iTunes U. please bring the VHS/CD/DVD to the Media Center as soon as possible. If the video is in the library please indicate that on the form, we can check it out ourselves and return it to the library when we are done.
I already have things set up in VMR, can’t you just move it?
Unfortunately no, we cannot just move video assets. The have to be re-compressed for streaming in iTunes U. Even if you have video set up in VMR that you have used in the past we have to get that original VHS or DVD and recapture it from the original source and re-compress it. This is a one-time process in order to convert the media properly for iTunes U. If the media is needed for a subsequent semester or another course we can set up access to the media for that course without having to recapture the media.
What about music or audio files?
We still need the request form filled out telling us what audio files you need for what course. However, our preliminary tests show that we will not have to re-compress most audio files. Longer audio files may still need to be re-compresses. Once the request form is submitted you only need to bring us any NEW audio files that you want posted in iTunes U. We’ll contact you if we need your assistance with any existing audio files.
Want more on iTunes U?
Check out our iTunes U web site for updated information as we move forward with iTunes U. If you have questions about iTunes U or any media assets for your course please contact Jeana Rogers at x6251.
