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Among the institutions of Higher Learning having success with the Apple iPod technology known as iTunesU is the University of Michigan, School of Dentistry. Also, it was just announced that the TAMU iTunesU site is up and running: http://itunes.tamu.edu/. That makes TAMU one of only about 100, total, institutions of Higher Learning currently developing the process. The HSC is also planning to become involved and that will mean BCD as well. Stay tuned. In fact, stay iTuned!
TAMU ANNOUNCES ITUNESU AT TEXAS A&M:
WHAT IS iTunes University (iTunesU)?
iTunesU is an innovative use of Apple's iPod music system technology (including "podcasting") for Universities. TAMHSC is now developing a relationship with Apple in order to provide this web-based service for faculty and students. It is already being used at University of Michigan, School of Dentistry and at TAMU.
I want to give you a preview now, but please realize that although HSC has finalized the contract with Apple, the whens and hows of rolling this out have not been announced just yet. However, I am already beginning to work on the implementation with the HSC Webmasters, and I want to let you know what's coming up in the near future.
iTunesU is a very innovative use of Apple's iPod music system technology (including "podcasting") for Universities. In a nutshell, with this system lectures can be "grabbed" and audios, videos and pdf files can be collected, uploaded and served from iTunesU host servers at apple.com for distribution via Web browsers to any computer connected to the Internet, and/or to any video/audio iPod type device. This means that, for instance, a lecture in a classroom can be made available (audio and/or video of the actual lecture, along with class notes, presentations, handouts, etc) so that students could literally see the lecture, and hear it and read it for review on their computers or portable iPod devices, anywhere, anytime, and often almost immediately after the lecture concludes.
iTunes U at a glance
- Learning to go. Provide easy access to educational content, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Proven and Scalable. Based on the tried and true iTunes Store.
- Easy to learn, use, and administer. Supports secure web-based standards for authentication and authorization.
- Part of an end-to-end solution. iTunes U is a fully integrated part of an Apple end-to-end solution for creating, managing, distributing, and accessing educational content.
- Compatible with HSC's new CMS -- iTunesU will be able to interface seamlessly with HSC's new online content management system, also soon to be introduced.
- You are in control. Site administrators can require authorized users to sign-on securely. For course managers, iTunes U includes easy-to-use online editing tools.
- One-click iPod support. It is the only content management and distribution system that offers one-click support for transferring content to iPod.
- Integrated podcasting support. Automatically generate a podcast feed from within any course.
- Protects your online learning investments. iTunes U complements learning management systems, including Blackboard, WebCT, and Sakai. Students can access iTunes U content from within these systems as well. I will also interface well with the Hannon Hill Cascade CMS server HSC is planning to provide.
Duke University was the first to make use of iTunesU some 5 years ago, making national headlines by becoming the first University to provide iPods to every student. They now sell them through the bookstore at textbook prices, and are enjoying a great deal of success for their faculty and students in the process. According to an evaluation paper recently published at Duke, here are some of the Academic uses of iPods:
- Course content dissemination tool;
- Classroom recording tool;
- Field recording tool;
- Study support tool;
- File storage and transfer mechanism.
In addition, here are some of the benefits the study listed:
- Convenience for both faculty and students of portable digital course content, and reduced dependence on physical materials;
- Flexible location-independent access to digital mutimedia course materials, including reduced dependence on lab or library locations and hours;
- Effective and easy-to-use tool for digital recording of interviews, field notes, small group discussions, and self-recording of oral assignments;
- Greater student engagement and interest in class discussions, labs, field research, and independent projects;
- Enhanced support for individual learning preferences and needs.
Among the institutions of Higher Learning having success with the program are the following, including the University of Michigan, School of Dentistry. Here are some links you can explore for more details. The first is to the iTunes University program on the Apple.com web site.
There will be more, and I will let you know as I find out. So stay tuned -- in fact, stay iTuned!
Art Upton, Web Services Administrator
Office of Communications & Development
Baylor College of Dentistry
The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center
mailto:art@bcd.tamhsc.edu
214-828-8287
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