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