Web Strategy and Development Blog

New iTunes U Site

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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!

New iTunes U courses available

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With the fall semester quickly approaching, we’ve been busy uploading two new complete courses to Missouri State on iTunes U:

College Algebra

MTH 135 – College Algebra

Presented by Patti Blanton, produced by the Digital Media Production Center

This course includes the study of linear and quadratic equations; inequalities and their applications; polynomial, rational, exponential and logarithmic functions; and systems of equations.

The course will contain a total of 31 lectures along with an introduction and various review lectures.

American Democracy and Citizenship

PLS 101 – American Democracy and Citizenship

Presented by Dr. Patrick Scott, produced by the Digital Media Production Center

This course is actually not new, but rather an updated version of this course for 2010. It provides introductions to the institutions and constitutional frameworks of both the state of Missouri and the United States.

An introduction and ten lectures have been uploaded at present, with more to follow in the coming days.

Missouri State on CDNTwo

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Missouri State is now featured on CDNTwo, an online podcast manager for the Roku. This means that users with Roku set-top boxes can now stream Missouri State academic and course content on their television sets.

All of our content featured on CDNTwo  is being fed in from Missouri State on iTunes U. We plan to update the content available on CDNTwo as we add more content to our iTunes U site. We are one of only four institutions featured on CDNTwo, with two of the others being Yale and Berkeley.

Video services now available

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We are now offering video services to University units and departments. Our office can provide shooting, editing and final production of your videos.

Below are the types of video we can produce, and the rates associated:

  • Basic event coverage (panel discussion, speaker, lecture, etc.)
    • $50/hour for setup and filming time, $100 for editing
    • Example video
  • Spotlight video
    • $300 for filming and editing
    • Includes filming of an interview, plus any basic footage captured
    • $50/hour for any extra filming that requires scheduling a separate shoot
    • Interview questions must be provided by the client
    • Example video
  • Marketing video or extensive event coverage
    • $75/hour for setup and filming time, $300 for editing
    • Any script or interview questions must be provided by the client
    • Example video

Posting of any completed video to the Missouri State YouTube channel or iTunes U is free of charge. Completed videos can be provided as a digital copy free of charge, or on DVDs at a rate of $5 per DVD.

Scheduling of a videographer is dependent on videographer availability and the number of projects currently scheduled. Please contact Brad Mitchell as early as possible to ensure being able to schedule a videographer.

Missouri State Featured in iTunes U

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Lora Hobbs in iTunes UOver the past year, Apple has featured Missouri State courses from many professors, including Joe Hughes, Karl Kunkel, Todd Daniels, Tom Wyrick, Daniel Kaufman, Sam Dyer, and Robert Bradley.

Right before Thanksgiving, Apple began running a large feature on Lora Hobbs’ Introduction to Religion course; this was the first large feature for Missouri State.

National Impact

iTunes U promotes Missouri State on an broad scale. Several professors have commented how they receive frequent praise, comments and questions about their courses on iTunes U, from across the U.S. and beyond.

Learn More

To learn more about iTunes U, including how to become a contributor, please visit the Missouri State on iTunes U web site.