FAQ

FAQs

What is iTunes U?

The iTunes application is a free application for your Mac or PC which organises and plays digital music and video on your computer or iPod.

Within iTunes is an area dedicated to free educational and cultural content: this is iTunes U (University)

There are over 850 universities and colleges with active iTunes U sites worldwide. About half of these institutions — including Trinity College Dublin, Stanford, Yale, MIT, Oxford, UC Berkeley, and Open University — distribute their content publicly on the iTunes Store.

This public site is an immense marketing tool. It can sit behind and be integrated into college websites

Why is the City of Cork VEC on iTunes U platform?

iTunes U will provide a global platform for students and staff of the City of Cork VEC further education colleges Cork College of Commerce, St. John’s Central College and Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa with the opportunity to provide content and information to a whole new audience. We will be able to share knowledge and raise the profile of the colleges, our staff, and our students.

How much does iTunes U cost?

The iTunes application is free to download for Mac or PC. All the content you can see on iTunes U is also free, but if you choose to download audio or video files.

What sort of content does it carry?

iTunes U carries audio, video and PDF files. The colleges of the City of Cork VEC on iTunes U offer content in three main areas:

• educational content across a wide range of subjects;
• marketing information about the college, its departments/courses and student life; and
• our Student Showcase, with some exciting examples of work our students have undertaken.

Where can I download the iTunes application?

You can get the application from iTunes download.

• iTunes is  made available on college machines.

Do I need any special equipment to access the content?

You need a computer (Mac or PC) and internet access to install the iTunes application. If you want to play audio or video content away from your computer, then you will need an iPod or iPhone or a similar media player.

Do I have to sign up for an Apple account to access iTunes U content?

No: all the content you can see on iTunes U is freely available and does not require you to sign in. If you choose to download audio or video files from other areas of iTunes you may have to pay and then you will require an Apple account.

Will I have to provide any personal information or credit card information to use this service?

No: all the content you can see on iTunes U is freely available and does not require you to sign in. If you choose to download audio or video files from other areas of iTunes you may have to pay and then you will need to set up an Apple account, which requires your personal and credit card information to process the payments.

Do I need an MP3 player or iPod to use this service?

If you want to hear or watch content away from your computer then you will need some sort of mobile device. iTunes will sync with Apple products such as an iPod or iPhone but you can play the audio and video files on some other devices. You can also keep the files to play on your computer or burn them to CD or DVD.

I’ve seen some interesting content on iTunes U, both from the City of Cork VEC platform and from other colleges — how can I share?

You can easily share the files. There are two options:

You can just ‘right click’ on the album or track of your choice and copy the URL link. Add the link into an email, and send it!

Always acknowledge the source

Is iTunes U replacing the content on college VLE’s etc?

The city of Cork VEC on iTunes U is not intended to replace course content on VLE’s etc, but can complement your delivery; for example, it can provide ‘mobile’ access to audio or video learning materials for students to play on an iPod or other media player when they are away from a computer.