Professors tune in to iTunes U
The program called, iTunes University, shortened, iTunes U, uses the familiarity of iTunes. The program allows students to upload files, search for other ones and listen to them all via the iTunes software.
According to the apple.com Web page, iTunes U delivers easy 24/7 accesses to educational content for universities and colleges globally. The program is educationally focused and is accessible to anyone with a Mac or PC.
Many students at GCSU would be surprised to learn the program is gaining popularity for use in many different classes, ranging from broadcast journalism to English classes.
Angela Criscoe, a professor in the mass communication program uses the program in her broadcast journalism course.
“I use the program when the students learn how to make podcasts. They upload the podcasts to my faculty page,” said Criscoe.
iTunes U can quickly sync through iTunes Store. The music files can be made through podcast programs such as Garage Band.
The download to access iTunes U is free and students can upload as many files as they wish. The files can also be either solely audio or include video. Professors who utilize the program can create their own pages where the students upload and share the files. According to the apple.com Web page the service is free and available to any college or university campus. The program is steadily making its way into various businesses as well.
Kristen Hall, a junior mass communication program used the program in a class and liked it for its fast speed and user-friendly control.
“I found the program fast. I had a 5-minute clip, and the program uploaded it nearly instantly. I almost thought I uploaded the file incorrectly, but the program really is that easy,” said Hall.
Not all GCSU students have used the program for podcasts. Ashley Murphy, a senior said she used it for studying class lectures.
“My teacher used the program for giving visual lecture notes. The file included sound and pictures aided in the understanding of the lectures. I found the program very effective and fun to use,” Murphy said.
Junior Samantha Lane also used the program in Criscoe’s class and was glad she had to use iTunes U because it helped her with her major choice.
“I’m a mass communication major and last semester we had to do a lot of podcasts. The program allowed me to view and listen to other’s podcasts before posting my own. iTunes U is a great way to connect GCSU to other students and campuses around the globe,” said Lane.
Whether the program is used for lectures, audio and video podcasts, iTunes U is quickly becoming a hot new program on the GCSUcampus with students and faculty members alike.
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Oct 10 2008. Filed under News.
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