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iTunes U

Includes

Description
System requirements
Getting started (instructors)
Accessing Apple's Help document for iTunes U

Description

iTunes U allows instructors and project managers to easily post content — e.g., audio, video or pdf files of lectures, interviews, etc. — on the web. Students and project members can then use iTunes U to easily access this content at any time. They can browse and download the files to their Macs or PCs, regardless of their location, and they can listen to and view the content on their computers or transfer it to their iPods to listen to or view it wherever they go. (Using iTunes U is not the only way to make files available to students and site participants. The Resources tool can also be used. For information on using the Resources tool, click on "Using the Tools" in the CTools online help table of contents, and then click "Resources.")

iTunes U is based on the same web application that runs the iTunes Music Store, which is an online music service run by Apple Computer. However, instead of storing and accessing music files, iTunes U is used to store and access files with educational and research content.

CTools has been set up to allow users to access iTunes U from within their course or project sites. After following the steps below, a button for iTunes U will appear in the left-hand menubar of a course or project site along with the other tool buttons.

System requirements

To guarantee a consistent user experience, always use the latest version of iTunes.

iTunes U works with the browsers that are recommended for use with CTools. For a list of these browsers, open the online help in CTools by clicking the Help button in the left-hand menubar. Then click “CTools Overview” and finally click “best Browsers to Use with CTools.”

Note: Internet Explorer on Windows may have performance limitations when uploading files. For more information, see the Microsoft Help and Support Site at

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;

 

Special Setup for Firefox

Firefox needs special configuration settings to open iTunes U in CTools.

The first time Firefox attempts to open iTunes U, it should prompt you to either "Launch the Application" or "Cancel." You must select "Launch the Application" to use iTunes U in CTools. If you do not see a "Launch" button, you can click "Escape" or "Return" on your keyboard to return to CTools.

At that point, you can:


1. Follow the directions (see below) to change the Firefox settings, or

2. Use Safari (Mac users only) for the purposes of subscribing to iTunes U podcasts

3. Contact ctools@umich.edu for assistance.


Instructions for changing Firefox settings:

1. Enter "about:config" in the address bar, which will open the advance configuration options of Firefox.

2. In the text field labeled "Filter" enter 'itms'

3. Look for items with the Preference Name that start with 'network.protocol-handler'

4. If the Preference Name is network.protocol-handler.external.itmss or network.protocol-handler.external.itms then the Value column needs to contain "true". Double-click on the word "false", to change it to "true".

5. If the Preference Name is network.protocol-handler.warn-external.itmss or network.protocol-handler.warn-external.itms then the Value column needs to contain "false". Double-click on the word "true", to change it to "false".

6. Enter this URL into Firefox's address bar: itmss://deimos.apple.com/ This will likely bring up a dialog box in Firefox which basically asks if you are sure you want to use an application different from Firefox to open this URL. Check the "Remember...." box and then click "Okay".


If you have any questions, please contact CTools Support: ctools@umich.edu

 

Getting started with iTunes U

You can include iTunes U in your course site when you first create the site or later by using the Site Info tool in the left-hand menu of your site. (Click Edit Tools along the top of the window, then check the box next to iTunes U, click Continue, and finally click Finish on the following page.)

 

 

Accessing Apple's Help document for iTunes U

At this time, we are recommending that campus users view Apple’s help guide on using iTunes U. You can download Apple’s “iTunes U User Guide” in pdf format at this url:

http://images.apple.com/support/itunes_u/docs/iTunesU_User_Guide_1S_acc.pdf

 

Please Note: Apple’s iTunes U document is written for people who are using iTunes U for teaching and courses. With CTools, you can use iTunes U with both course sites and project sites. The instructions are basically the same. In addition to introductory sections, Apple’s “iTunes U Help Guide” includes:

• Preparing a Course for iTunes U

Organizing Course Content
Providing Links to Other Information
Preparing Content

• Logging In to Your iTunes U Site

• About the Course Page

• About Tabs

• Editing a Course Page

• Assigning Access Privileges to Tabs

• Adding Links to the Course Page

• Uploading Content to the Course Page

• Understanding How Metadata Works

About Metadata Substitution and Download Rules

• Adding a Course Image to the Course Page

• Podcasting

• Logging Out of iTunes U


Are you finding what you're looking for? Please send feedback about this online help guide to ctools-doc-comments@umich.edu Thanks! (For questions about using CTools, send email to ctools-support@umich.edu)