We recently updated the Missouri State on iTunes U site to utilize Apple’s Public Site Manager, which is a new method for uploading and managing all of our multimedia content on iTunes U. This change also means that the design and layout of Missouri State on iTunes U is also now updated to better reflect recent changes in the iTunes U Store, with more options for us to feature specific content and better organization through the use of iTunes categories and tags.

I’d like to now focus on a few of the new features available in Missouri State on iTunes U:

• Web previews of content collections – you can now preview a collection in your web browser without even having to open the iTunes software. View Great Ideas in Psychology to see an example of this new web preview.
• Ratings and reviews of content – content in iTunes U can now be rated and reviewed by users. This is also reflected in the new Top Downloads section on the Missouri State on iTunes U homepage.
  
• Categories and tags – content can now be categorized in two ways: under the default iTunes categories, as well as under custom categories. An example iTunes category is Humanities while an example custom category is About Missouri State.
• Custom features on the homepage – it is now possible to highlight selected items or content collections on the homepage. These new custom features are completely customizable and are a great way for us to highlight specific content.
  

On a separate note, Missouri State instructor Todd Daniel started a new psychology podcast series last week titled The Story of Psychology. Todd’s previous podcast, Great Ideas in Psychology, has been extremely popular with iTunes U users, and we’re sure his new podcast will also be very successful. This week, Apple took note of the new podcast and designated it as the main featured collection on the iTunes U homepage. Congrats to Todd on another great podcast!