iTunesU Overview
What is iTunes U?
The iTunes application is a free application for your Mac or PC which organises and plays digital music and video on your computer or iPod. You can find out more from Apple’s web page. What is iTunes? Within iTunes is an area dedicated to free educational and cultural content: this is iTunes U. You can find out more from What’s on iTunes U?
Why is St. John’s Central College using iTunes U on the City of Cork VEC platform?
iTunes U will provide a global platform for St. Johns Central College with the opportunity to provide content and information to a whole new audience. We will be able to share knowledge and raise the profile of St. John’s Central College, our staff, and our students.
The iTunes application is free to download for Mac or PC. All the content you can see on iTunes U is also free,
but if you choose to download audio or video files.
What sort of content does it carry?
iTunes U carries audio, video and PDF files. St. John’s Central College on iTunes U offers content in three main areas:
- educational content across a wide range of subjects;
- marketing information about the college, its departments/courses and student life; and
- our Student Showcase, with some exciting examples of work our students have undertaken.
Where can I download the iTunes application?
- You can get the application from iTunes download.
- iTunes is being made available on college machines.
Do I need any special equipment to access the content?
You need a computer (Mac or PC) and internet access to install the iTunes application. If you want to play audio or video content away from your computer, then you will need an iPod or iPhone or a similar media player.
Do I have to sign up for an Apple account to access iTunes U content?
No: all the content you can see on iTunes U is freely available and does not require you to sign in. If you choose to download audio or video files from other areas of iTunes you may have to pay and then you will require an Apple account.
Will I have to provide any personal information or credit card information to use this service?
No: all the content you can see on iTunes U is freely available and does not require you to sign in.
If you choose to download audio or video files from other areas of iTunes you may have to pay and then you will need to set up an Apple account, which requires your personal and credit card information to process the payments.
Do I need an MP3 player or iPod to use this service?
If you want to hear or watch content away from your computer then you will need some sort of mobile device. iTunes will sync with Apple products such as an iPod or iPhone but you can play the audio and video files on some other devices. You can also keep the files to play on your computer or burn them to CD or DVD.
I don’t know how to use iTunes — can you help?
There is a good video on the Apple website which takes you through the basics of getting started with iTunes. You can also find out about iTunes U from What’s on iTunes U?
You can easily share the files. You can just ‘right click’ on the album or track of your choice and copy the URL link. Add the link into an email, and send it!
Always acknowledge the source.
Is iTunes U replacing the content on St. John’s Central College VLE (Moodle) or Notes on Line?
St. John’s Central College on iTunes U is not intended to replace course content on Moodle or Notes on Line, but can complement your delivery; for example, it can provide ‘mobile’ access to audio or video learning materials for your students to play on an iPod or other media player when they are away from a computer.
