Q and A for iTunes U

Q: What is  iTunes U?

A: iTunes U is an extension of Apple's broader iTunes digital platform that provides free educational content to a global community using a Mac, PC, iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. iTunes U content is searchable by university, category, collection or key word.

Q: Why does Messiah College have an iTunes U site?

A: The College created an iTunes U site to share the knowledge, scholarship and expertise of Messiah College educators and students with—and to demonstrate the institution’s academic scope and excellence to—a global audience through a diverse digital platform of college courses, lectures, performances, demonstrations and other educational presentations or events.

Q: What type of content is appropriate for Messiah College's iTunes U site?

A: The College has designated the primary target audience for its iTunes U site as off-campus, external viewers. Accordingly, the College seeks to populate the site with high quality content from the following primary and secondary categories:

Primary Content:  The primary content that Messiah College seeks to share via iTunes U is educational in purpose—curricular and co-curricular content that facilitates learning, shared knowledge, spiritual growth and personal development.  Examples include but are not limited to:

• College courses
• Lectures (Messiah faculty and or/visiting lecturers)
• Student and/or faculty presentations
• Symposiums
• Lab demonstrations
• Faculty and/or student performances
• Case studies, role plays and other instructional presentations
• Common Chapels and alternate chapels
• Panel discussions

Secondary Content: Secondary content that Messiah College will share on iTunes U is more archival or “life of the College” in nature, i.e., content that may not be directly academic in nature, but would help audiences understand the unique mission, environment and distinctives of Messiah. Examples include but are not limited to:

• Commencement
• Baccalaureate
• Homecoming, Welcome Week, International Education Week highlights video, etc.
• Campus video tours

Q: Who is eligible to create content for Messiah's iTunes U site?

A: Messiah College educators and employees are invited to create iTunes U content according to the above criteria in consultation with and approval from their respective dean or vice president.

Q: Who is able to post content to Messiah's iTunes U site?

A: The College has several designated "contributors" who are authorized and have access to post content to Messiah's iTunes U site. Employees who wish to create or post content should speak with their respective dean or vice president to determine in advance if the content meets the content criteria for iTunes U. If approved by the dean or vice president, employees may be granted contributor access or be directed to provide content files to someone within their area who has contributor access. Deans and vice presidents have the authority to decline or remove submissions they deem inappropriate or do not think meet the established criteria.

Q: If I want to create a video or other multimedia content specifically for iTunes U, what do I need to do first?

A: You may begin by contacting your dean or vice president to determine if your content meets the criteria for Messiah's iTunes U channel and to discuss the objectives of the content and how it will be resourced/produced.  If you have questions about your project, you may fill out the Media Production Request Form.

Q: What if I have existing content I would like to post on Messiah's iTunes U site?

A: You should contact your dean or vice president who will assess if the content meets the criteria for Messiah's iTunes U channel. If approved by the dean or vice president, employees will be directed to provide content files to someone within their area who has contributor access.

Q: What type of resources will I need to create a video? 

A: First you should determine your objectives and your intended audience. Many projects require a longer amount of pre-production time for detailed scripting. Some projects may be recorded with an iPad or iPhone while other projects may require digital recording cameras and separate microphones. Editing audio and video is possible for some projects with free software while other projects require software that is accessible by Media Services. You may wish to fill out the Media Production Request Form. 

Q: Do I need to use Messiah's Media Services team to produce iTunes U content?

A: No. Anyone can produce iTunes U content as long as it meets the content criteria for iTunes U as described above. Consultation related to a project is available by contacting LearningTechServices@messiah.edu or completing a Media Production Request Form. Training opportunities are available through Learning Technology Services to those who wish to learn more about the processes involved.

Q: Are there costs associated with creating content for iTunes U? If so, who is responsible--my department? school?

A: The Media Services Department at Messiah College focuses primarily on the production of multimedia content intended for the purpose of enhancing the curriculum. Productions that are intended for promotional or administrative purposes are charged a fee that would fall to the department and/or school initiating the project.

Q: May I use an outside vendor?

A: Yes; however, if an external resource is used, responsibility for all associated project costs would fall to the department and\or school. It is important to note that any video created by an external vendor must still meet the College's established content criteria for iTunes U.

Q: Why would we choose iTunes U over YouTube or Vimeo?

A: We have general guidelines for each of the platforms listed below. If you have approval from your dean or vice president to post content to iTunes U, it is permissible to post the same content on YouTube and/or Vimeo as well.

• iTunes U provides public viewing and engagement around educational content knowledge, scholarship and expertise in the form of courses, lectures, performances, lab demonstrations and other academic and co-curricular presentations produced by the Messiah community for the global community. We strive for high quality multimedia productions for the iTunes U platform. Dean or V.P.  approval is required.
• YouTube and Vimeo provide public and unlisted/filtered viewing and engagement around educational content produced by the Messiah community. Each of these platforms provides the option of creating a channel for your multimedia content (School, Department, Major, Course, etc.). You are encouraged to communicate with your Dean or V.P. about your project.
• Some multimedia is not intended for public viewing. The Messiah Video Server and Channel 13 provide viewing and engagement around content produced for selected groups of the Messiah community. Accessing videos posted on the Messiah Video Server requires Messiah authentication. Channel 13 provides viewing opportunities for on campus students via their TV.

Media Production Request Form

Q: Who can help me determine what platform to use?

A: Feel free to contact LearningTechServices@messiah.edu, your dean, vice president or complete a Media Production Request Form in order to determine the platform that should be used.