iTunes U and Media Magnet

Information for instructors on using iTunes U and Media Magnet.

What is Media Magnet?

Media Magnet helps automate the process of converting audio and video content into podcasts and/or Flash videos. It is particularly useful for instructors or designers that create audio and video content on a recurring basis for a course. Once you create a course in Media Magnet, you will only need to upload new content in order to update the podcasts associated with the Meida Mill course. Media Magnet is a companion application to Media Mill. It is sponsored by the College of Liberal Arts Office of Information Technology.

Instructors should use Media Magnet to help automate the process of creating new episodes for course podcasts in iTunes U. Links to iTunes U course podcasts for credit courses are included in the My Course/My Courses & Teaching tab in myU.

Please go to the Media Magnet site or view the Media Magnet Introduction Video for additional information on Media Magnet. For help with Media Magnet, write to mmhelp@cla.umn.edu.

Steps to take:

• Get a Media Magnet account
• Create a new course in Media Magnet and request that the course be added to iTunes U
• Name your content files correctly before uploading them to Media Magnet
• Upload audio and video content to the Media Magnet course

Instructions

1. Get a Media Magnet account
   1. Send an e-mail to mmhelp@cla.umn.edu from a University of Minnesota e-mail address
   2. Make note of your Media Magnet username and password included in the account confirmation e-mail. This information will be required when you upload content.
2. Create a new course in Media Magnet
   1. Go to mediamill.cla.umn.edu/mediamagnet
   2. Click on New Course
   3. Sign in with your U of MN Internet ID and password
   4. Complete the required fields in the form (Note: as you enter course information, the beginning file name format for content related to this course is displayed. Remember this format. You will need to use it at the beginning of all file names for all content uploaded for the course.)
      1. Enter Course Title (e.g. Cooking with Chocolata)
      2. Enter the Department (e.g. FOOD)
      3. Enter the Course Number (e.g. 1001)
      4. Enter the Section Number (e.g. 001)
      5. Select the Year
      6. Select the Semester
      7. Enter a Description
      8. Note the file name format listed at the top of the form (e.g. FOOD1001_001)
   5. Add additional information for the course
      1. Select Campus
      2. Enter a name for the primary instructor
      3. Skip Room (this is for a future Media Magnet feature)
   6. Select Public in the list of Permissions. This is a required setting to add your podcast to iTunes U.
   7. If known, select the category and sub-category
   8. Check Add to iTunes U and the iTunes U Support Team will send a confirmation when the course has been added.
   9. Check the box next to the derivitives you want to create
      1. Video Derivative to create a video podcast
      2. Audio Derivative to create an audio podcast
      3. Note: Flash derivitaves do not appear in iTunes U course podcasts
   10. Upload a course podcast logo if desired
   11. Click Submit. The My Courses page will appear.
3. Name your content files correctly before uploading them to Media Magnet.
   1. Find the files you want to upload on your local drive, or start a new audio and/or video file
   2. Rename the file and start with the file name format displayed when you created the course (e.g. FOOD1001_001).
   3. Add a short description at the end of the file name (e.g. FOOD1001_001_Lesson1.mov)
4. Upload audio and video content to the Media Magnet course
   1. Click on My Account in Media Magnet
   2. Download and install the Uploader for Macintosh or Uploader for Windows. (Note: you can also use an FTP client instead of the Media Mill Uploaders)
   3. Check the E-mail Notification box if you want to receive a confirmation when files are processed
   4. Start the Uploader for Macintosh/Windows
   5. Enter your Media Magnet username and password (See the Media Magnet account confirmation e-mail you received for this information)
   6. Click the + button and select a file for upload.
   7. Click Upload to uplaod the file into Media Magnet.
5. After the file is uploaded and processed, it will appear as a new episode in your iTunes U course podcast within 24 hours
6. Repeat Step 4 above each time you have new content for your course.

Using iTunes U for Campus, College, or Departmental Podcasts.

Many campuses, colleges, and departments have access to create podcasts in iTunes U for their areas. To request a podcast that is for a campus, college, or department, please contact the iTunes U administrator in your area. If you don't know who the contact person is in your area, consult with iTunes U Support by completing the Support Request Form.