Frequently Asked Questions
iTunes University, commonly referred to as iTunes U, is a Web-based service that delivers instructional content via the iTunes program. The University of Tennessee has created an iTunes U Web site and is building a collection of course content.
FAQs for Everyone
What is iTunes U?
iTunes U is a free, hosted service for colleges and universities that provides easy access to their educational content,
including lectures and interviews, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can download content to your Macs or PCs, listen to
and view that content, or transfer it to a iPod for listening or viewing on the go. Instructors can create content for a
course by recording lectures, developing assignments, creating videos and podcasts.
What is Podcasting?
Podcasting provides a convenient, subscription-based model for distributing course content. Podcasting makes your course
content mobile and allows your students to subscribe to the course and have the content automatically downloaded as soon
as it is made available.
What is UTK on iTunes U?
UTK on iTunes U is a repository and support mechanism for multiple UTK podcasting efforts by UTK faculty, staff and
students, collected together into a single location.
UTK on iTunes U uses UTK's LDAP authentication system and
Apple's repository of educational podcasts.
Is UTK on iTunes U available for both Windows and Mac?
Yes. UTK on iTunes U requires iTunes version 6.0 or later for Mac and Windows. Additionally, UTK on iTunes U
works with most modern, standards-compliant browsers.
- Internet Explorer 6.0 or later on Windows
- Firefox 1.5 or later
- Safari 2.0 or later on Mac
How much do podcasts at iTunes cost?
Presently, all educational podcasts available at UTK on iTunes U are free to download. But you must not share
any files that have been copyrighted.
Do I need to have iTunes in order to use UTK on iTunes U?
Yes,. UTK on iTunes U requires iTunes version 6.0 or later for Mac and Windows. This ensures a consistent
user experience. iTunes can be downloaded for free.
Is my content safe on UTK on iTunes U?
Podcasting involves downloading of files. Any file which has been downloaded may be easily shared and
distributed. Some file formats that are supported by UTK on iTunes U, such as AAC, do provide "Digital
Rights Management" options that offer some level of security. At present no system of copy protection is fool-proof.
How do I log in to iTunes U?
Are there examples of the iTunes U environment?
Yes, There are many universities with public iTunes U sites.
You can visit UTK's public site or
open iTunes and click on the iTunes Store link in the navigation menu on the left hand side. Next, click on the
iTunes U link with the iTunes STORE box.
You may click on any university linked from here.
FAQs for Instructors
I want to start podcasting, but don't have any funding or support. Can you help?
Podcasting is a viable and effective means of developing and distributing engaging content. The ITC is actively
engaged in supporting efforts to promote the use of podcasting that enhances the teaching, learning, and
research missions of UT. Request assistance with podcasting or set up a consultation through our request form.
How do I start using UTK on iTunes U today?
If you would like to start podcasting using UTK on iTunes U, please complete our
request form. It may take up to two (2) working days
for activation to be completed. You will receive an email when it is done.
ITC can help you with everything you need, from suggestions in designing your programs, to selecting equipment,
to generating your own podcasts on UTK on iTunes U.
Can I use UTK on iTunes U to deliver class notes to my students?
Yes. In addition to more traditional podcast file types, such as audio and video, you can also use UTK on
iTunes U to distribute Portable Document Format (PDF) files.
Can an iTunes U course be crosslisted?
Not at this time. But it is on our "todo" list.
Can I have an iTunes U course for combined courses?
Yes, but only if you requested the courses be combined through the
combined courses form
for your Online@UT courses.
When can I see the iTunes U course I requested?
Activation may take up to two (2) working days from the time you make the request for the course.
Why can't I see the course I requested?
If you have launched UTK on iTunes U as a "visitor", meaning you did not log in, and your course
does not contain any public podcasts, it will NOT be visible. After you receive email confirmation that
your course is activated and you log in as the instructor, you should see your course.
Do I add students into my iTunes U course?
UTK on iTunes U is tied to the Registration system. This means that you do not have to manually add students. Simply notify students that they have podcasts for their courses and direct them
to itunesu.utk.edu
Can I use the same course for a new semester?
Courses can be rolled over to the next semester. Go to the iTunes U login request form to make that request. Enter the OLD course information under "Course Key" and "Course Title"
and click the "Change" button. Type in the new course key and title in the "Comments" section.
Once a course is changed, it will no longer be available to the former semester (e.g, if you change a Fall course
to a Summer course and the current semester is Fall, students enrolled in the course for Fall will not be able
to view the course. It will be accessible when the Summer semester becomes current to students enrolled in the
Summer section.)
Can I assign a graduate assistant to help me upload and modify my iTunes U course?
Yes, you can grant permission to persons who will serve as "Builders" by going to the iTunes U
login request form to make that request. Enter the netid of the graduate assistant as either Builder 1 or Builder 2.
It may take up to two (2) working days to complete this request. You will receive an email when it is done.
Are podcasts archived in iTunes U?
No, podcasts are neither archived nor saved. iTunes U is a hosted service by Apple and does not offer archiving services. Apple also does not offer any backup plan for podcasts should their server fail. As a result, it is strongly recommended that you maintain copies of your podcasts on CDROM and on your computer. This way you will always have your podcasts preserved.
Can students download a podcast from a UTK computer lab?
Yes, students can download podcasts from a computing lab; however, podcasts are physically downloaded to
that computer's hard drive. If the student wants to take the download with them, they must transfer the file
to a portable medium, such as a thumb drive.
Can my students upload their own podcasts or files?
Yes, by default within your iTunes U course, students can upload their own podcasts to the "Drop Box" and "Shared" tabs.
If you would like to disable this feature, please contact itunesu@utk.edu.
How do I upload files to iTunes U?
To upload and manage your files, log in to My UTK on iTunes U from itunesu.utk.edu or through the iTunes U Link within your Online@UT course. Navigate to your Online@UT course and click the
"Upload and Manage Files" link. Select the tab where you want the podcast to reside and click on "Add File".
Follow the onscreen instructions.
What are Tabs in the iTunes U environment?
Within a course page, six (6) tabs will be created to help organize the course content. Each tab is then assigned
permissions to control user access to the content. For more information on tabs, go to the
self-paced tutorial on iTunes U.
Is there a file size limit?
Individual files (podcasts or PDFs) should not exceed 1 GB.
What audio and video formats are supported by iTunes U?
iPod and iTunes support many formats, including MP3, MP3 VBR, AIFF,
Apple Lossless, WAV, AA, MPEG-4, and PDF (iTunes only).
| Audio files: AAC, MP3 with appropriate file extensions (.m4a, .mp3). |
| For best results during playback, Apple recommends converting MP3 files greater than 32 megabytes (MB) to AAC format. |
| Video files: MPEG-4 with H.264 compression with appropriate file extensions (.mp4, .m4v, .mov). |
| For best results with iPod, Apple recommends using H.264. For more information on creating content for iTunes, please see, http://images.apple.com/support/itunes_u/docs/iTunes_U_Creating_Content.pdf. |
How do I convert my audio and video files into a type supported by iTunes U?
If your files are not in one of the supported formats, convert them using our recommended software. If you would like ITC to convert the files for you, fill out the ITC request form and we'll be glad to help.
