Vanderbilt Makes iTunes U App Available on Blackboard Extensions Platform

Vanderbilt University Library in Nashville, TN will make its integration for Apple's iTunes U application available to the Blackboard client community, providing a popular tool to other institutions looking to support the use of multimedia content in courses. The integration enables faculty and students to access audio, video, and other multimedia content from iTunes U within their existing courses and with their existing logins through the Blackboard Learn platform.

Vanderbilt has created free, open source access to its recently upgraded iTunes U integration, developed in collaboration with a group of other campuses and consultants from Blackboard and Apple. At Vanderbilt, "public" resources on iTunes U also include campus news, music, sports, and special events. All of the content can be downloaded and played on personal computers as well as mobile devices.

A similar application for iTunes U was developed by The College at Brockport, State University of New York and is freely available to all Angel Learning institutions. (Angel was acquired by Blackboard in May.)

"We found that an increasing number of faculty wanted to use multimedia in their classes--everything from capturing lectures to developing and sharing multimedia presentations for students," said Cindy Franco, online access to knowledge manager at Vanderbilt. "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 tied to our courses so faculty and students can use it easily."

The announcement was made at Blackboard's annual conference for users and developers as part of the launch of the company's Extensions Web site. The site provides a central repository of free, paid, and open source applications built by Blackboard developers, institutions, and third parties to extend and enhance the Blackboard platform, as well as digital content and multimedia resources made available by Blackboard's content partners.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • college student working on a laptop, surrounded by icons representing campus support services

    National U Launches Student Support Hub for Non-Traditional Learners

    National University has launched a new student support hub designed to help online and working learners balance career, education, and family responsibilities as they pursue their education. Called "The Nest," the facility is positioned as a "co-learning" center that provides wraparound support services, work and study space, and access to child care.

  • image of a white AI chip with circuit lines, flanked by interlocking gears and a neural network brain icon

    Researchers Develop AI-Powered Method for Business Process Redesign

    Researchers have developed a novel AI-powered approach that enables non-technical users to modify complex process models through simple conversations with chatbots.

  • college students in a classroom focus on a silver laptop, with a neural network diagram on the monitor in the background

    Report: 93% of Students Believe Gen AI Training Belongs in Degree Programs

    The vast majority of today's college students — 93% — believe generative AI training should be included in degree programs, according to a recent Coursera report. What's more, 86% of students consider gen AI the most crucial technical skill for career preparation, prioritizing it above in-demand skills such as data strategy and software development.

  • computer screen displaying a landline phone being unplugged from a single cord, with a modern office desk, keyboard, and subtle lighting in the background

    Microsoft to Discontinue Skype Services

    Microsoft has announced that it is shutting down service for its Skype telecommunications and video calling services on May 5, 2025.