Columbia on iTunes U can be used to distribute media to Columbia affiliates and to the general public. Content can be contributed to the Columbia Public or Restricted iTunes U channel. Each iTunes U channel has specific contribution requirements, and different options in how content is made available to the students or to the general public.
Contributing a Course for the iTunes U app
In January of 2012, Apple introduced an app version of iTunes U, which included an updated Course feature. The changes add a new dimension to how instructors can manage and distribute course media to students. CCNMTL is evaluating these changes and their effects on the current iTunes U program at Columbia. In particular, we will be evaluating our ability to manage non-institutional accounts and the exclusivity of iOS devices, among other issues. Early adopters who are interested in trying out the new iTunes U Course feature should contact CCNMTL to set up a consultation. All initial uses of the new iTunes U Course feature will be considered experimental.
Contributing Public Content
The Public iTunes U channel is reserved for open content that can be made available to the general public. Content submitted to this channel is available for free via Apple's iTunes Store. Public iTunes U content can downloaded to personal computers, iPods, iPhones, iPads, and Apple TVs.
Content can be contributed by Columbia faculty, instructors, or departmental administrators. To contribute publicly accessible content, you must create an Apple ID, which will be used for you to access the iTunes U Public Site Manager, a tool that publishes content to Columbia's Public channel.
Content can be submitted to the Public channel using two methods:
- RSS feed file, where content is stored on your school's local or provider-hosted servers. (Recommended)
- Direct uploads, where content is stored on an Apple-provided iTunes U storage allocation.
To get started, contact us at ccnmtl-itunes@columbia.edu to set up a orientation session. For more information on Apple ID, please visit: http://appleid.apple.com/
Contributing Restricted Content
The Restricted iTunes U channel can facilitate secure and protected use of audio, video, or PDF documents by utilizing the affiliations that accompany all Columbia UNI account holders. These can include course affiliations (such as registered students), school and department affiliations, and CUNIX group affiliations. In simpler terms, Columbia faculty can privately syndicate course media, like lecture recordings or course handouts, to students using the iTunes application. Restricted iTunes U content can also be downloaded to personal computers, iPods, iPhones, iPads after a Columbia UNI is provided.
Direct uploads are stored on Apple's iTunes U storage allocation and are managed using the iTunes U content management system. An alternative method is to store the media on your school's local or provider-hosted servers and create an RSS file that references the media files. Then the iTunes U collection is created from the RSS file. The latter option is suggested in most cases.
Content can be submitted to the Restricted channel using two methods:
- RSS feed file, where content is stored on your school's local or provider-hosted servers. (Recommended)
- Direct uploads, where content is stored on an Apple-provided iTunes U storage allocation.
Contributing as a Faculty or Instructors
Faculty and instructors can request a restricted iTunes U collections on a per course basis by visting the online Request a Course Collection form. The following information must be submitted to request a collection:
- Instructor UNI
- Instructor Name
- Course Title
- Course Section Key
For additional assistance beyond requesting a course collection, please send an email to ccnmtl-itunesu@columbia.edu
Contributing on behalf of a School, Department, or Organization
Schools, departments and organizations are encouraged to use the Public iTunes U channel to distribute media content. The Public channel is the home of great promotional Columbia content, as well as news videos and campus walking tours, and is the ideal location to reach new or potential Columbia students and alumni.
The Restricted iTunes U channel has been organized so that schools or departments can manage collections within iTunes U for administrative purposes. To get started, we ask that schools and departments agree to do the following:
- School dean or department chair designates iTunes U administrator (via email to ccnmtl-itunesu@columbia.edu). The request can include a backup administrator, if necessary. Administrators must have Columbia UNIs.
- Administrator maintains collections for the School or department according to the iTunes U contract requirements
- Administrator participates in the mail list associated with the program
After we receive the request, the designated administrator(s) will be trained on the use of the iTunes U content management system. If you are not a school or departmental representative, but still would like to set up space, please send an email to ccnmtl-itunesu@columbia.edu.
Uploading Content Using iTunes U Storage Allocation
- iTunes U only accepts files for upload that are less than 1 gigabyte (GB). To create smaller files, try editing down information within the file or using high-quality compressed file formats, such as AAC and H.264.
- You cannot use the Upload and Manage Files web page to work with files within a Smart or Feed group. iTunes U dynamically generates the contents for Smart and Feed group types. To modify these group types, use the Course page tab editing features within iTunes U.
- After a file is uploaded, only the instructor or course manager (or another user with editing access) can move, reorder, replace, delete, or edit the file.
Copyright and iTunes U
Posting copyrighted material without permission of the copyright owner is not permitted on the iTunes U site. For additional information on copyright issues and policy information useful for both contributors and users alike, see the following links:
These two links also appear at the footer of every page on the Columbia iTunes U site.
Columbia on iTunes U is managed by the Columbia Center for New Media Teaching and Learning. For more information on using iTunes U, please review the information on this site or contact us via email at ccnmtl-itunesu@columbia.edu.
