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iTunes U Dashboard Instructions

The iTunes U Dashboard is a web-based application (navigated via your web browser) and is primarily used by faculty to create new podcasts. Once a podcast is setup, you must use iTunes U (within the iTunes application) to upload files and customize your podcast. If you have podcasts setup already, you can click on them in the Dashboard to edit them in iTunes U.

You can access the iTunes U dashboard here.

1) To get started click on the New Podcast link on the main page of your iTunes U dashboard.

2) Once you click on the New Podcast link you will be directed to a new page that will list of all course sections you are an instructor of record for. Please select a section or sections for which this podcast will be setup for. Selecting multiple course sections will create a single iTunes U course which all sections you select will be able to access. *Please note, you will only see classes you are teaching for the current semester. You will not be able to create any new course sections for the Fall 2009 semester in iTunes U until August 16th, 2009.

3) Once you've selected your course(s), enter the name you would like your course to be called in iTunes U. For example, if you are teaching Finance 100, section 003 at University Park for the Fall 2009 semester, then you could enter, FIN100.003 FA2009: UP.

4) In the field titled Podcast Description enter a brief description about your course.

5) In the next field labeled Templates, you can setup your iTunes U course with some basic configurations that fit yours and your students' needs so that you can begin customizing and uploading content quickly. If you're not sure what you need, just select the Default Template. You will be able to do any customization you need within iTunes U after the course is created.

6) Under Set Access for Podcast, as an editor you can control who can view and edit your content. Viewing access allows users to see but not edit content. Editing access allows users to upload and delete files, as well as customize other information such as: course name, description, tab names, tab access (setting up drop boxes, etc.), and adding links.

7) You can specify additional users who can edit your course. For example, an instructional designer, local tech support, etc. NOTE: Your TAs should already have access to the course. Enter only Penn State UserID's here.


8) In the last section titled, Populate Via RSS you can pre-populate your course with content from another podcast, enter the feed URL here. Feed URL's are provided by most podcasts, and are usually indicated by an orange square RSS or XML icon. Providing a valid feed URL will populate a single tab in your course with the content from that feed. You can create additional tabs to populate with your own content, or to use as a drop box for students.


9) Finally, click the button labeled Create New Podcast Now. Once you've click the Create New Podcast Now button, wait 5-10 minutes for your content to populate.


If you need assistance using the iTunes U Dashboard please contact us at podcasts@psu.edu.