How can a faculty member get started?

If you are a faculty member at Virginia Tech and are interested in using iTunes U, you should contact Eddie Watson (edwatson@vt.edu).

How do faculty use iTunes?

Apple has provided a quick users guide to provide an overview of using the iTunes site.
Download/View PDF

In addition, Apple has also provided a short guide to creating content for the iTunes site.
Download/View PDF

What types of material can faculty post on iTunes U?

In general, any sort of media file can be posted on iTunes.  This list is a partial example of file types and extensions that can be uploaded to iTunes (the extensions in bold are the preferred file types):

• Audio Files: *.aac, *.mp3, *.aiff, *.wav, *.aa2, *.aa3, *.aa4
• Video Files: H.264, *.mpeg,
• Other Files: *.pdf

Note: iPod does not support WMA, MPEG Layer 1, or MPEG Layer 2 audio files, or audible.com format 1.

Can copyrighted material be placed on iTunes U?

Materials that are posted are subject to normal copyright restrictions.  Copyrighted material should not be posted unless permission has been granted by the copyright holder.  If posted under the restricted Virginia Tech site, certain material may fall under “Fair Use” for educational purposes.  However, faculty are encouraged to secure all copyright permissions before posting materials to iTunes U.  If you have any questions about copyright at Virginia Tech, you can contact Gail MacMillan (gailmac@vt.edu) in the University Libraries.  She has also created some helpful materials concerning copyright issues that affect faculty at Virginia Tech at this address: http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/copyright/

Apple has provided a short overview of copyright issues that might be affected by the digital content created and uploaded to iTunes.  Download/View PDF.

When faculty place originally-created material on iTunes U, who owns the copyright?

Content that has been uploaded to the iTunes servers still remains the sole property of the creator of the content, that is, of the faculty member that originally creates and posts the material.  All materials posted to iTunes and used in Virginia Tech courses are subject to copyright laws but may be covered under the TEACH act by the “fair use” principle.   Faculty should also be aware that Apple has nonexclusive rights to use material posted publicly (that is, material not specifically restricted to the Virginia Tech login).  It is recommended that sensitive materials, therefore, be restricted to Virginia Tech participants only.

Apple has provided a short overview of copyright issues that might be affected by the digital content created and uploaded to iTunes.  Download/View PDF.

How can faculty be sure their content is not lost?

With the iTunes system, any content uploaded will be housed and maintained on Apple’s servers.  Because of that, faculty will want to take special precautions to protect and backup their materials.

For instance, a faculty member may want to place duplicates of the materials in a Blackboard course or on an external website.  This will ensure that the materials will be accessible, should the Apple servers not be available at a time when a course or others need them.

In addition, the New Media Center hosts a podcasting server that can deliver the same sort of content to your audience.  If you are interested in learning more about this service, contact Eddie Watson (edwatson@vt.edu) for an account.