iTunes U on your iPhone or iPod Touch
When it was launched in 2008, Otago University’s iTunes U content was available in two ways:
This dual method of delivery means that content can be viewed by almost anyone: as long as you have an internet connection, a web browser, and software that can play MP3 and MP4 files (if you don’t have any software capable of playing MP4 video files, we recommend VLC, which is an open-source media player).
Last week, Apple released the version 3 software update for the iPhone and iPod touch. As well as other enhancements, the update now allows you to browse and view our iTunes U material directly from your device. This means that you no longer have to download content onto your computer, and sync with your iPhone or iPod Touch.
Here’s how to find iTunes U on your device:
- Tap the iTunes button
- Tap “More” (at the bottom), then “iTunes U”
- Scroll down and tap “Universities and Colleges”, then scroll down and tap “University of Otago”
From there, you can browse through the Podcast pages, and download material by tapping on the “Free” icon beside the movie or track you want to listen to (you’ll then need to tap “Download” to download the file to your device).
iTunes U on the iPhone
If you are a staff member with an iPhone or iPod touch and you haven’t registered it for staff wireless yet, you can do so by filling in the online registration form. Once your registration is complete, you’ll be able to connect to the Staff Wireless network, which is available at many locations on campus.
New in iTunes U
The most recent addition to our iTunes U material is Science Matters – presentations and interviews from both the Science Festival, and Hands on Science events. Check it out in iTunes.
Science Matters
Podcasting 2008 – some statistics
For the last few weeks I have been investigating some of the podcasting data from 2008, which I thought might be interesting to share.
Firstly a little bit of background information: Podcasting has been offered as a service at Otago since August 2007. Many lecturers use it to provide students with an audio or video version of their lectures; this is particularly popular with distance papers, and for revision purposes. In 2008 approximately nine papers used the podcasting service during Semester 1, and 25 during Semester 2.
In June 2008 Otago launched its iTunes U site, taking the publically available podcasts to a greater global audience within iTunes. These podcasts include public lectures and musical performances as well as short films.
As you can see in the graph below, the launch of iTunes U caused a large spike in the individual podcast download numbers, while exam revision causes a smaller surge in October.
University of Otago: Podcast downloads - 2008
