iTunes U
Easily Create and Distribute Podcasts or Vodcasts
Instructional Support is currently running an iTunes U Pilot to enable faculty and staff at PCC to have an easily accessible space to host Podcasting or Vodcasting content. The identification of a path to Podcasting here at PCC is one of our primary goals - iTunes U is being well received and used by many academic institutions. Podcasting as a pedagogically effective tool has been established outside of our institution- now its up to us to enable the PCC community to utilize it.
To request your own iTunes U account and pilot support, plese email Monica Martinez-Gallagher. Include your MyPCC username, G#, Campus, and Department in the email.
What is Podcast/Vodcast?
A podcast is a series of audio or video digital-media files which is distributed over the internet by syndicated download, through Web feeds, to portable media players and personal computers. Each time the host or author of the podcast, or podcaster, updates the content, the broadcast audio or video content will automatically download.
Why iTunes U?
Simply because we don't yet know what we don't know about what will or won't work for Podcasting and PCC. Since Apple offers 50 GB of storage space to accredited education institutions, this means we can explore podcasting as a pilot effort with as little impact on our technical or financial systems as possible. ITunes U may not end up being PCC's ultimate podcasting distribution method- we may, for instance, find something that integrates better with our learning management systems, or Technology Solutions Services (TSS) may in the future be able to offer us space on our internal servers to host this content. As of today, this is our best opportunity for learning as much as we can for as little as possible.
Samples
- Lend your voice to be a pioneer! Come help us build a library of great sample works.
Training
Because iTunes U is an application we are considering as a pilot, no formally scheduled training sessions are currently available- If you are participating in this pilot, you will receive direct support from the Instructional Support team.
Support Links and Handouts
- iTunes U Support for Instructors
- General Help for iTunes
- Podcasting Legal Guide - Published by Creative Commons, this is a very readable guide. "This Guide Does Not Provide Legal Advice..." The purpose of this Guide is to provide you with a general roadmap of some of the legal issues specific to podcasting.
- Podcasting in Education - The author explains podcasting, provide links to working examples and articles that show it works well in education, and provides some ideas for you. It also includes a section entitled 'How to go about it: Curriculum and Class Management', a technical section with info about applications, plus some downloads and resource links.
- 20 Ideas for a Great Podcast - Learn tips for podcasting.