Q:  What is iTunes U?

A:  iTunes U is a special section of the iTunes store reserved for content coming directly from colleges and universities.  It is an innovative way to get educational content to your students.  iTunes U isn't just for audio or video podcasts.  You can also share PDF and ePub documents with your students via iTunes U.  By using iTunes U, all of the content you share with your students will be organized in a single feed in their iTunes application.  This content may originate from various sources including GPC Rewind and the USG Podcasting Server.

 

 

 

Q:  How does iTunes U look from faculty and student perspectives?

A:  When you login to iTunes U, you will see the Courses section.  This lists only courses for which you are currently teaching or enrolled.  GPC general college-wide content is displayed below this in the Spotlight section.

 

Q:  What are course pages in iTunes U?

A:  Clicking on a specific course in the Courses section navigates to its downloadable content (videos, podcasts, ePubs, etc.).  You can either subscribe to feeds on these pages (download all content and automatically download new content when published) or simply download individual files.

 

 

 

Q:  Who can access my content within iTunes U?

A:  GPC iTunes U content access is restricted to those either teaching or currently enrolled in respective courses.  For instance, if you are instructing or enrolled in BIOL 1111-100 you will have download access to all of this section's content but those not instructing or currently enrolled in this section will not even see it in their iTunes U Courses section.

 

 

 

Q:  Is GPC iTunes U content under copyright protection?

A:  iTunes U is a service provided by Apple, Inc. and using said service does not entitle the company to intellectual property rights of any content syndicated nor does Apple, Inc. provide digital rights management.  Users of GPC iTunes U are expected to follow proper copyright guidelines when creating content.

 

University System of Georgia Copyright Policy

Fair Use

 

 

 

Q:  What is podcasting?

A:  Podcasts are streaming media (audio or video) produced by authors covering a wide range of topics including:  education, arts, entertainment, sports, etc.  They are typically syndicated through feeds (RSS feeds ) that allow one to automatically download new content when it is published by an author.  iTunes provides a handy interface that consolidates all downloaded podcasts and automatically looks for the newest content to retrieve for your.  Podcasts can be watched/listened to on your computer, tablet or other mobile devices.

 

If you are a faculty member that would like to begin podcasting, you may request a podcast account and channel on the USG Podcasting Server here.

 

 

 

Q:  What materials are appropriate for iTunes U?

A:  iTunes U acts as a repository for many file types enabling you to provide your students with a wide variety of course-related content including audio, video and electronic documents.  Some examples of commonly uploaded media are:  lecture captures (GPC Rewind, personal computer-based), supplemental classroom instructional videos, nursing clinicals, tutorials/walkthroughs, syllabi (.pdf), mobile learning materials/mobile-optimized documents/eBooks (.epub).

 

Also see supported file types.

 

 

 

Q:  What are RSS feeds in iTunes U?

A:  If you are a faculty member participating in iTunes U, your content will be populated using an RSS feed.  For instance, if you are a user of the USG Podcasting Server and would like to include media that you have uploaded to this server in your iTunes U page, you can request your podcasting feed(s) be placed into the GPC iTunes U site allowing students to immediately have access to any new content you upload to the USG Podcasting Server right after you do so.  Similarly, GPC Rewind users can request that RSS feed(s) be included in iTunes U so that, after you've made lectures available, your content-subscribing students will automatically receive your most recent lecture captures via iTunes.

 

 

 

Q:  How do I add RSS feeds to GPC iTunes U?

A:  Please complete the iTunes U request form to add feeds to GPC iTunes U.  You must only submit a feed once as any new content you upload (USG Podcasting Server, GPC Rewind, etc.) will automatically update through the feed.  If you create a new feed (new podcasting channel, new semester in GPC Rewind, etc.) then you must complete the form again and include the new feed(s).

 

 

 

Q:  How do I access GPC iTunes U?

A:  See instructions below.

 

 

1.)  Navigate to iCollege and click on a course (if your course is participating in iTunes U) and click on the iTunes U icon in the Course Tools Menu or alternatively navigate to http://itunes.gpc.edu and login with your GPC username and password.  Note:  you must first have iTunes installed on your computer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.)  After authenticating, a popup window will appear asking you to launch iTunes.  Click OK.  Note:  if iTunes is installed but cannot be immediately found by your system, click choose and search for it from a list of installed applications.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.)  Begin viewing content by selecting a course that is available to you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.)  If you wish to subscribe to a feed (automatically download new content to iTunes when made available), click the Subscribe button in the selected course.

 

 

Q:  What are Tabs in the GPC iTunes U environment?

A:  Faculty have the option to include content from various sources in their iTunes U page.  When a course is selected, the available sources are listed under Tabs.  These sources are typically channels from the USG Podcasting Server and feeds from GPC Rewind.  Clicking on a Tab displays the content from its respective source.

 

 

 

 

Q:  What audio and video formats are supported by iTunes U?

A:  Supported file types for iTunes U are as follows:

 

 

 

Q:  Do I have to pay to access GPC iTunes U?

A:  No, this service is funded by Tech Fee.

 

 

 

Q:  Do I need an Apple computer to use iTunes U?

A:  No, iTunes is compatible with both Mac OS X and Windows operating systems.  Download the latest version of iTunes here.

 

 

 

Q:  Do I have to use Mobile device and iPods to access GPC iTunes U?

A:  No, a mobile device is not required to access iTunes U.  To access GPC iTunes U, navigate to http://itunes.gpc.edu and login with your GPC username and password.  After you have download GPC iTunes U content, it is stored on your computer hard drive and can be viewed offline at your convenience.  If you do own a mobile device that can be synced with iTunes (iPhone, iPad, iPod/iPod Touch) then you can also view GPC iTunes U content on these devices.

 

 

 

Q:  What are the advantages of iTunes U over other venues?

A:  iTunes U is helpful for both faculty and students as it provides a single location for content consumption.  Rather than sending students to multiple locations to download course content, faculty can simply instruct students to login to iTunes U to download all media.

 

 

 

Q:  Where is my content stored within iTunes U?

A:  Content is stored on Georgia Perimeter College or University System of Georgia servers (unless your feeds are hosted externally).  iTunes U simply acts as an aggregator to simplify content distribution to your students.

 

 

 

Q:  Do I upload my media files directly to iTunes U?

A:  No, uploading files directly to iTunes U is currently not available to faculty.  However, once you complete the iTunes U request form, OIT will connect your RSS feeds with iTunes U.  Anything new you add to your feeds will automatically be reflected in iTunes U.

 

 

 

Q:  How can I get support for GPC iTunes U?

A:  please email either:

Mason.Peralta

or

Steve.Vanbrackle

[at gpc.edu]