Contribute content to Arkansas on iTunes U

Who Should Contribute How To Contribute

What to Contribute

What belongs in the Arkansas iTunes U library? Unlike YouTube, iTunes U is a curated library of educational content, and the standards for submission are designed to select material with the greatest potential value for learners. You can create collections of content or complete courses. How does a course compare to a collection?

Criteria for iTunes U Collections and Courses

 Educational
Value

 Material has value for an audience beyond your school or organization and can be categorized as one of the following content categories:

Subject area categories in iTunes U.

Concept

 Title, description, and artwork create a “package” that is designed to get noticed in iTunes. See how it's done: check out these collections on iTunes U - French for Beginners, Virtual Math Girl, Untamed Science.

Instructional
Format

Instruction is designed to engage learners.

 

 Course Building 101: Artwork for iOS course.Explore how to build an iOS course. All you need is your iOS device (iPad,iPod, or iPhone with iOS 5) and iTunes U.

For Collections:

See examples of instructional format used in iTunes U audio and video lessons.

For iOS Courses:

Use the course description and your posts to set a tone, provide context for the learner, and engage them with the content. Additionally, select the right instructional approach for the original resources you create.

Content
Requirements

Collections should contain:

  • At least 5 audio or video lessons, each one from 3 to 10 minutes in length.
  • Supporting PDFs, if appropriate.

iOS Courses should contain:

Copyright Compliance

Only include content that you have the rights to distribute.
When creating your own resources (audio, video, iBooks, etc) use material with permission or use Creative Commons licensed media labeled for reuse. Check out this comprehensive copyright resource. Remember, all who appear in your audio and video files must sign release forms. See our Production Resources Page for more copyright info.

Your organization may already use a standard media release form that will suffice. If not, see the sample release form. All providers for Arkansas on iTunes U will submit the Statement of Assurance verifying their copyright compliance. Need free licensed music? - Check out CCMixter.org

Technical
Specifications

For Collections:

  • File Format: Video files must have .mov, .mp4 or .m4v extension, audio files must have .mp3 extension, and documents should be PDF or ePub.
    • 

  • File Size: Files should be reduced to the minimum needed for quality. We recommend a maximum of 70 MB for a 5-minute video.
  • File Quality: Strive for clear and consistent audio throughout. Ensure that images are crisp.

For iOS Courses:

You may include any of the Supported Media Formats.

 

Who Should Contribute to iTunes U

We are one of the many universities, state agencies, and not-for-profit institutions to distribute educational media to the world for free through iTunes U. If your organization is not already an iTunes U provider, you may choose to contribute to the Arkansas iTunes U library.

Students

We know that students are motivated by tasks that allow them to work for authentic purposes and audiences. We also know that it is effective for students to tackle creative, project based tasks using digital tools to learn and demonstrate their learning. 		Students creating media.

Teachers

You may be recording lessons or classroom demonstrations to use in your teaching. Share your knowledge and expertise with learners beyond your classroom by contributing to iTunes U. Take advantage of our summer contracts and create a podcast specifically for iTunes U.
Summer teacher contracts.

School Districts

Qualifying K-12 public school districts in Arkansas may apply to become iTunes U provider institutions rather than contributing to Arkansas on iTunes U. Learn how here. As a provider institution, you can create and operate your own library of content. You can become a featured provider for Arkansas on iTunes U and have all of your content grouped on a page, complete with your logo, or you can start by publishing individual collections or courses with Arkansas.


School District options for contributing to iTunes U.

Organizations

State agency programs, non-profit entities and educational initiatives like Arkansas Transition Services, AALI, EAST Initiative, and Hot Springs National Park have created an iTunes presence, making their media available for download through Arkansas on iTunes U. If you have educational media that addresses the K-12 audience of students or educators, consider adding iTunes U to your communications plan.		 Organizations contributing content to iTunes U.

 

How To Contribute

To publish content collections or create iOS courses, you must go through the process to become a content provider for Arkansas on iTunes U.

What's the Process to Become a Content Provider for Arkansas on iTunes U?

How To Become A Provider graphic Click Here to go to Provider Interest Form Click Here to Download Statement of Assurance

INITIAL CONTACT

  1. Submit Provider Interest Form
  2. You’ll receive instructions via email to upload a sample of your proposed content.
  3. You will also be asked to mail the signed Statement of Assurance.

COLLABORATION

  1. Let us evaluate your content and provide you with feedback.
  2. If your material is a fit for iTunes U, we’ll collaborate as needed to get it ready for publication.

PUBLISHING

  1. You can publish via RSS, submit files to the Podcast Uploader--(Get Login Instructions), or use the Course Manager (must use Safari browser).
  2. Content can be updated as needed.

PROMOTING

  1. We will promote your work via Twitter, Email Alerts, and other communications.
  2. We can provide an artwork badge for your website to allow your viewers to subscribe to your iTunes U material.

Questions? Contact Shelley Dirst

Link to Hot Springs National Park collection in Arkansas on iTunes U. Link to EAST Video Showcase collection in iTunes U. Link to Transition Services collection in Arkansas on iTunes U.