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iTunes U

iTunes U puts the power of the iTunes Store to work for colleges and universities, so users can easily search, download, and play course content just like they do music, movies, and TV shows.

The iTunes program is required to access iTunes U. Material in iTunes U can be accessed on any computer with iTunes. Some content will also transfer and be accessible from an iPod. For more information about iPods and iTunes click here

Important Tip - When working in iTunes U, it is helpful to look at the information window at the top, middle of the iTunes window to see what the program is doing.

Edison iTunes U

  • Edison iTunes U web page - go here for the link to the Edison iTunes U site, to browse available content, or to request using iTunes U with your course.

 

About iTunes U

 

Getting Started with iTunes U For Students

  1. Download and install iTunes if it is not already on your computer. See the iPod and iTunes page for more information.
  2. Click on the iTunes U link provided by your instructor or from Browse Available Content at the Edison iTunes U web page.
  3. A web browser page should open, click the button that says I Have iTunes.
  4. Your iTunes will launch and go to the page for the course within iTunes U.
  5. You can download individual items from the course by clicking Get or you can download all items by clicking Subscribe.
  6. If you click Subscribe, your iTunes will automatically download additional materials as the instructor adds them to the course.
  7. The downloaded content will appear in a playlist within an Edison College folder within your iTunes.
  8. Double click the items in the playlist to play them.
  9. If the option exists, click View Artwork from the View toolbar. More info.
  10. Double click the artwork to open it in its own window.

Getting Started with iTunes U For Instructors

  1. Download and read the iTunes U User Guide. (pdf)
  2. Create content for iTunes U. (see below for more info)
  3. Request to use iTunes U with a course at the Edison iTunes U web page.
  4. Download and install iTunes if it is not already on your computer. You may need to submit a Help Desk ticket to have it installed on an Edison computer.
  5. Wait for Technology Services to create the course within iTunes U and notify you of completion via email.
  6. Log in to the Edison iTunes U site from the Edison iTunes U web page and upload content.
  7. Post the URL from the completion email to your portal Course Homepage or WebCT so students can access it.
  8. Post a link to this page to your portal Course Homepage or WebCT so students can get technical assistance.

iTunes U Files

iTunes U has a maximum file size of 500 MB.

The iTunes U upload session timeout is 60 minutes. If your file cannot complete uploading within 60 minutes the upload will fail.

iTunes U is capable of hosting the following file types:

  • Audio
    • mp3
    • m4a
  • Video
    • mp4
    • m4v
    • mov
  • Text
    • pdf

Technical Specification Recommendations
(programs will automatically use these settings if they include an option to export to iPod/iTunes)

  • Audio
    • Data Rate: 128 kbits/sec
    • Channels: Stereo
    • Output Sample Rate: 44.100 kHz
    • Encoding Quality: Better
  • Video
    • MPEG-4 with H.264 compression
    • Image Size: 320x240
    • Frame Rate: 30
    • Key Frame: Every 24 frames

Creating iTunes U Files

Hardware, software, and assistance available in Faculty Workrooms
  • Audio Only
    • Creating an audio only file, such as a recording of a lecture, is very easy and only requires a microphone and recording device (such as a computer or an iPod) and iTunes.
    • Using an iPod and recorder
    • For audio file editing you can use GarageBand (Mac) or Audacity (Windows) (free)
  • Audio + images (including PowerPoint presentations)
  • Video
    • Several programs are capable of creating and sharing audio and video in iTunes U compatible format. Some of these include:
    • In addition, other programs can create audio and video in other formats which can then be converted into an iTunes U compatible format including:
  • Converting from other formats