iTunesU FAQ

Questions:

• How do I access Penn State on iTunesU?
• iTunesU doesn't launch when I click on the "Open Penn State on iTunesU" button. What should I do?
• I want to distribute a URL to something specific in iTunesU. Can I link directly to this content?
• I'm trying to view an [enhanced podcast/large video file] on iTunesU. Why can't I see all the slides when I double-click on some tracks?
• Can I edit my meta-data once my file has been uploaded into iTunesU?
• What file formats does iTunes U accept?

Submit your own questions to: podcasts@psu.edu

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How do I access Penn State on iTunesU?

First, make sure you have iTunes installed. This is a free application.

Then browse to http://itunes.psu.edu and click on the "Open Penn State on iTunesU" button.

Since iTunesU exists within the iTunes application, *your browser must be instructed to launch iTunes and open the correct URL for Penn State's content.

iTunesU doesn't launch when I click on the "Open Penn State on iTunesU" button. What should I do?

First, make sure you have iTunes installed. This is a free application.

If you're using Firefox, sometimes the browser forgets how to handle iTunes links. Try the following:

Launch Firefox
In the URL location box type about:config" and tap the return key.
You will get a long list in the "filter" box type itms and tap the return key.
The list will be left with 1-2 things control/click OR right click on each item and choose RESET
Quit Firefox

Next, launch Firefox again and type the following in the URL "location box." itmss://deimos.apple.com/
Hit return. A drop down menu should appear. Check the box for "Remember my choice for all links of this type" and click on "Launch Application." iTunes will/should launch.

I want to distribute a URL to something specific in iTunesU. Can I link directly to this content?

Yes. Everything in iTunesU (Welcome Pages, courses, shows, tracks, tabs) has its own URL. Just right-click (Mac users control-click) on any item you want to link to, and you will see a menu that says "Copy iTunes Store URL". Once you copy the URL you can paste it into ANGEL, an email, etc.

I'm trying to view an [enhanced podcast/large video file] on iTunesU. Why can't I see all the slides when I double-click on some tracks?

Double-clicking on tracks in iTunesU opens a preview of that track. Usually this works ok for audio or short video files because your computer can grab enough of the file to start playing properly. But with enhanced podcasts (mp3 files that contain synchronized slides or pictures) or large video files, the entire file needs to be downloaded first. If you Subscibe or Get Track and wait for the file to download, it should play without any problems.

Can I edit my meta-data once my file has been uploaded into iTunesU?

Once your file has been uploaded into iTunesU you can NOT edit your meta-data. You must edit your meta-data before you upload your file.

What file formats does iTunes U accept?

iTunes U only accepts files for upload that are less than 500 megabytes (MB). Audio files must be either AAC or MP3 with appropriate file extensions (.m4a, .mp3). To use specific cover artwork with an audio track, use the AAC file type format (.m4a). Video files must be MPEG-4 with H.264 compression with appropriate file extensions (.mp4, .m4v, .mov). If you are using QuickTime to create and edit video content, export your videos by choosing Movie to iPod from the Export pop-up menu in QuickTime Pro..

4 Steps to Improving Your iTunes U Presence

1. Create a good description for your show.
2. Make sure you have quality metadata on each track.
3. Link back to PSU and your website.
4. Customize your badge.

 

1. Create a good description for your show.
Provide a few sentences describing your content. Aside from the obvious usefulness of this information, it will also improve search results.

To edit the description:

1. Navigate to your show.
2. Click "Edit Page" in the tools box in the upper-right corner of your show.
3. Under "Description" click the pencil icon.
4. Enter your description.
5. Click "End Editing" in the tools box.

2. Make sure you have quality metadata on each track.
Metadata is the descriptive information attached to every podcast. Is your metadata accurate and useful? Is it consistent?

Suggestions for metadata fields:
- NAME: Unique title or description for that individual show.
- ARTIST: Names of individuals or department who produced the podcast(s).
- ALBUM: Name of the show (consistent with the main title you chose)
- GENRE: This should always be "Penn State University". This will ensure that our audience knows where the podcast came from.

How to update your metadata:
NOTE: iTunes U does not allow you to change metadata once a track has been uploaded. You will need to fix locally and re-upload.

1. Navigate to your show.
2. Select 'Get Tracks' to download all tracks (or use existing local copies)
3. Once downloaded, locate them in your iTunes library and edit their metadata (Right-click/Option-click > Get Info > Info tab), using the suggestions above.



4. Re-upload to iTunes U.
5. Delete the old tracks.

Hint: Save time by selecting multiple tracks when fixing Artist and Album info.

3. Link back to PSU and your website.
As an editor, you can add links to relevant websites. Every show should have a link back to the main Penn State homepage, in addition to a department-specific link.

To add links:

1. Navigate to your show.
2. Click "Edit Page" in the tools box in the upper-right corner of your show.
3. In the links box (located under the tools box) click the '+' button.
4. Fill out the title and URL fields for your link.
5. Click "End Editing" from the tools box.

4. Customize your badge.
Customizing the badge allows you to brand your show and draws attention to it when people are navigating iTunes U.
The only requirements we have for badges is that they are square, and ideally 300 pixels by 300 pixels. They should also contain some sort of Penn State theme or branding, if possible.

To change your badge:

1. Navigate to your show.
2. Click "Edit Page" in the tools box in the upper-right corner of your show.
3. On the existing badge, find and click the up-arrow button.
4. On the upload screen, browse to the badge you want to use and upload it.
5. iTunes U will refresh with the new badge. Click "End Editing".

 

Miscellaneous Style and Usability Tips

• Read Apple's "Creating Content for iPod + iTunes" document.
• Visit Apple's Content Creators support forum.
• Don't create too many tabs. This makes content hard to navigate, and since subscriptions are tab-specific it makes the subscription process more difficult
• Make sure there's no missing values in the default metadata fields: Name, Artist, Album

iTunesU Video Walkthroughs

These screencasts demonstrate some of the basic tasks you should know when using iTunesU.

Using the Drop Box

In iTunesU, a Drop Box allows students to upload content (audio, video, or PDF) that only the instructor or course manager can see. This differs from a "Shared" space, where students who upload can access one another's content.

Instructors: Setting up a Drop Box

1. Open your course in iTunesU
2. Create a new tab and label it "Drop Box", then select the tab.
3. Click "Edit Page" in the link box in the upper-right corner of the screen
4. You'll see a new link box titled "Access for Drop Box". In that box will be a list of who has access to your course. Locate the "Student" entry, and select "Drop Box" from the drop-down menu.
5. This gives students access to upload into that specific tab. Your other tabs will continue to only allow you to upload.

Instructors: Viewing Content Uploaded to a Drop Box

1. Open your course in iTunesU
2. Select your Drop Box tab
3. In the iTunes application, select View > View Options.
4. Under "Show Columns", check the "Comments" box
5. The Comments field will now be visible in the tracks listed in your Drop Box tab. This field will contain the name and userID of whoever uploaded the file.

NOTE: Although you can always tell what students uploaded content into a drop box with the Comment field, you may still want to implement a naming convention for your students to use. For example, the filename should include Full Name and Lesson Number.

Students: Uploading Content to a Drop Box

1. Open your course in iTunesU
2. Select the Drop Box tab
3. Click on "Upload Files" in the link box in the upper-right corner of your screen. You r web browser will open to an upload form.
4. Click "Add Tracks". If you have multiple files you can queue them up by clicking on this button multiple times.
5. Browse for file you want to upload.
6. Your upload will begin. You should leave the browser window open until see a message that your upload is complete.
7. Click "Return to iTunes" to see your uploaded file.