Library partnership integrates iTunes U with Blackboard
Vanderbilt University Libraries championed the creation of a tool that allows easy integration of the course management program Blackboard and Apple’s iTunes. Thanks to a partnership between Vanderbilt and Blackboard, the new tool is now available to all universities using Blackboard.
The partnership was announced July 15 at the annual meeting of Blackboard’s user and developer communities, in Washington, D.C.
iTunes U is an application that allows faculty and students to access specific audio, video and other multimedia presentations. The content can be downloaded to personal computers and iPhones, iPods and MP3 players.
“We found that an increasing number of faculty members wanted to use multimedia in their classes—everything from capturing lectures to developing and sharing multimedia presentations for students,” said Cindy Franco, manager of OAK (Online Access to Knowledge), Vanderbilt’s technology-related learning tools. “We looked at a number of solutions but they all had limitations. Working with iTunes U gave us an efficient way to share content within our existing system and to tie it to our courses so faculty and students can use it easily.”
Vanderbilt’s iTunes U presence can be accessed at http://itunesu.vanderbilt.edu or through the iTunes Music Store.