SOCALLT/CCFLT 2008SOCALLT/CCFLT 2008
Audrey Sartiaux, Ph.D.Audrey Sartiaux, Ph.D.Union College, Schenectady, NYUnion College, Schenectady, NY
Posting Audio Recordings and Video Files:Posting Audio Recordings and Video Files:iTunes University versus CMS (i.e. Blackboard), iTunes University versus CMS (i.e. Blackboard),
Which Is the Better Choice for Language Which Is the Better Choice for Language Learning?Learning?
iTunes U: What Is It?iTunes U: What Is It? Content management software for Content management software for
Podcasting of audio and video filesPodcasting of audio and video files– Created for specific course or specific purpose Created for specific course or specific purpose
(i.e. Library, Admissions Office)(i.e. Library, Admissions Office)– Accessible to specific users or the worldAccessible to specific users or the world
Works with iTunes: nothing special to Works with iTunes: nothing special to install on client machines but download install on client machines but download iTunesiTunes
Web interface Web interface (created by your ITS)(created by your ITS) Server space provided by Apple in Server space provided by Apple in
CaliforniaCalifornia Requirements: Mac or PC with iTunes Requirements: Mac or PC with iTunes
installed and Internet connectioninstalled and Internet connection
Web Interface for Secure Log-Web Interface for Secure Log-onon
itunes.union.edu
Union College iTunes U Home PageUnion College iTunes U Home Page
Your Course on iTunes UYour Course on iTunes U
Editing Your CourseEditing Your Course
Content Management/Access Content Management/Access RestrictionRestriction
Downloading Files: Your LibraryDownloading Files: Your Library
Uploading and Managing FilesUploading and Managing Files
File Formats SupportedFile Formats Supported Audio: AAC or MP3Audio: AAC or MP3
– Audacity free and easy to use (Audacity free and easy to use (audacity.sourceforge.netaudacity.sourceforge.net))
– Other software: Goldwave (PC), Soundtrack Other software: Goldwave (PC), Soundtrack Pro and Garage Band (MAC)Pro and Garage Band (MAC)
Video: iTunes Video: iTunes .mp4, .m4v (great for .mp4, .m4v (great for voice over slides), and .mov voice over slides), and .mov but to play on iPod and Apple TV more but to play on iPod and Apple TV more complicated (aspect ratio isuue - see complicated (aspect ratio isuue - see guide on Apple.com)guide on Apple.com)
How Useful Is iTunes U for How Useful Is iTunes U for Language Learning?Language Learning?
For all level language coursesFor all level language courses– Pronunciation exercisesPronunciation exercises– Oral production assessmentOral production assessment– Easy distribution of audio files Easy distribution of audio files
(homemade or textbook) and videos (homemade or textbook) and videos Intermediate language coursesIntermediate language courses
– Podcasts production on specific theme for Podcasts production on specific theme for class discussion/linked with class class discussion/linked with class presentation and/or Wikis (i.e. interview presentation and/or Wikis (i.e. interview with native speakers)with native speakers)
Audio and Video on Blackboard Audio and Video on Blackboard
Discussion Forum Great Discussion Forum Great for Audio Exercisesfor Audio Exercises
Discussion Threads – Peer to Peer Discussion Threads – Peer to Peer ExercisesExercises
Audio and Video Files on BB: Audio and Video Files on BB: The LowdownThe Lowdown
Positives: Positives: – One site for everythingOne site for everything– One less thing to learnOne less thing to learn
Negatives: Negatives: – Space demand on server is highSpace demand on server is high– Where to put audio on BB (some in Forum, Where to put audio on BB (some in Forum,
some in Documents etc.), harder to find for some in Documents etc.), harder to find for studentsstudents
– Retrieval method for instructor is Retrieval method for instructor is cumbersomecumbersome
Audio Exercises for Language Learning Audio Exercises for Language Learning
Better with BB?Better with BB?
Great for peer to peer/peer review exercisesGreat for peer to peer/peer review exercises Instructor posts individual feedback easilyInstructor posts individual feedback easily Can post directions for exercises (or use as Can post directions for exercises (or use as
write board to complement iTunes U)write board to complement iTunes U) Problem: Time consuming to listen to all Problem: Time consuming to listen to all
audio files for instructors and to download audio files for instructors and to download and upload filesand upload files
Why iTunes U, then?Why iTunes U, then?
User friendly interface for faculty and User friendly interface for faculty and students (they know it already) or very students (they know it already) or very short learning curveshort learning curve
It’s cool It’s cool Push vs Pull technology: time saver for Push vs Pull technology: time saver for
you no excuses for themyou no excuses for them Practicality: take your students Practicality: take your students
homework wherever you go with your homework wherever you go with your iPodiPod
Conclusion Conclusion
Is iTunes U or BB better suited to the Is iTunes U or BB better suited to the needs of Language Teaching and needs of Language Teaching and
Learning?Learning?
Both fill different needs BUT if iTunes is Both fill different needs BUT if iTunes is a great complement to Blackboard it is a great complement to Blackboard it is not a replacementnot a replacement
Extra: How To Get iTunes U? Extra: How To Get iTunes U?
Apple website Apple website and info on iTunes Uand info on iTunes U Check what other Universities are doing:Check what other Universities are doing:
download public podcastsdownload public podcasts– iTunes U storeiTunes U store in in iTunesiTunes
Apply through IT departmentApply through IT department– Questions to ask yourself:Questions to ask yourself:
Compatibility challenges for ITS? Free for Compatibility challenges for ITS? Free for now but in the Future? Servers are owned by now but in the Future? Servers are owned by Apple: what will happen to content if Apple: what will happen to content if discontinued etc.discontinued etc.
iTunes U StoreiTunes U Store