University of North Dakota Named iTunes University
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University of North Dakota Named iTunes University
They’re not just for music anymore. Podcasts and MP3 players are increasingly being used to deliver information and educational content. And the University of North Dakota, which has just been named an iTunes University by Apple, is delivering. From health information and aerial acrobatics to statistics and archaeological digs, UND’s new iTunes U site offers course materials, lectures, seminars, and general information for students and the public.
“This is a great way to provide educational content and showcase the University of North Dakota,” said Greg Weisenstein, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “We have outstanding programs, and iTunes U helps us get national and international exposure.”
Podcasts are online audio and video files that allow users to receive new files automatically, usually at no cost. You donï’t need an iPod to see them and can use a computer or other MP3 player to view or listen. Apple provides server space on which to host the podcasts, while UND and other universities provide content.
UND already has more than 60 podcasts on the iTunes U site, and plans to add more, especially in the academic area.
“iTunes U can enhance the educational experience,” said Lynn Kubeck, chief information officer for the University. “For example, nursing students can review the procedure for inserting an IV on their iPod before they do the actual procedure.”
In fact, nursing dean Chandice Covington has purchased iPods for nursing faculty to help them integrate the technology into their courses. “Today there are exciting and innovative opportunities to incorporate iPods into nursing education,” said Covington. “Students are technologically advanced and it is important for us as educators to use cutting-edge technology to reach out to them on a level they can relate to.” Nursing faculty and students are quickly seeing the benefit of this technology, such as posting podcasts of lectures on Blackboard for students to review prior to exams and using podcasts to reach students enrolled in a distance-delivery course.
UND Aerospace has been using podcasts for several years to deliver supplemental flight training to aviation students. In fact, the podcasts are so popular that they’re used nationwide, and more than 150,000 people have downloaded a podcast on spin training, which has also been featured in a national flight training magazine.
“The UND AeroCast was originally conceived as a unique tool to supplement UND Aerospace student training by providing video lessons that would be available to the student anytime,” said Bruce Smith, dean of the Odegard School. “As a promotional tool, the UND AeroCast has served and continues to serve UND Aerospace by reaching out to people in a way like no other media has been able to. As soon as the series was started, people were discussing UND Aerospace on several internet blogs, fans have sent emails thanking us for our efforts and Apple has featured the UND Aerocast on multiple front pages on the iTunes music store. The UND Aerocast has been featured on the main podcast page on the iTunes Music Store. Last January, the Airplane Owners and Pilot’s Association (AOPA) wrote an article in their publication called Flight Training which caused a sharp spike in the AeroCast’s popularity. G4Tech TV Canada aired the entire “Steep Spirals” episode on their technology show Torrent–a show which airs weekly across Canada.”
The AeroCast receives on average about 250 video downloads a day. Overall, approximately 200,000 downloads have taken place over the last year and a half. They’ve received visits from all over the world, including Japan, Hong Kong, Saudia Arabia, China, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Finland, UK, Canada, Brazil, Germany, Russia, Vietnam, Chile, Belguim, and Korea.
“This is another example of how the University is innovative,” said Don Kojich, executive associate vice president for University Relations. “We are using the technology in a creative way to tell our story.”
Podcasts range from the entertaining, such as the UND Photo on the Green and episodes of UND’s student-run news show Studio One, to the serious, covering health issues and offering course supplements. To view UNDï’s podcasts, visit www.und.edu and click on iTunes U.
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