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Trinity College Dublin becomes first university in Ireland to join iTunes U in Apple’s iTunes Store

Wednesday, June 04, 2008 - 09:53 AM EDT

Trinity College Dublin is the first university in Ireland and one of the first in Europe to launch its own iTunes U site that features free access to audio and video files on course material, public lectures and presentations and highlights of College life. Trinity College Dublin on iTunes U was launched yesterday, June 3, 2008, as part of Apple’s expansion of iTunes U, now featuring institutions in the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.

The teaching impact of this project will include: delivering easy 24 hour access to educational material; distance learning; providing aide-memoires for students; pre-recording lectures to make them available prior to the actual lectures thus making them more discussion based; and supplementing lectures given during core contact hours.

Welcoming the launch of Trinity College Dublin on iTunes U, the Provost of TCD, Dr John Hegarty said in the press release, "Through pioneering the use of this new technology, Trinity College is reaching out to a variety of audiences – potential and current students, staff, alumni and the general public, in fact anyone with a love of learning which demonstrates our social and educational outreach mission."

"Trinity College Dublin, founded in 1592, is the oldest university featured on iTunes U in the iTunes Store today. This project is an example of combing tradition and innovation," the Provost added.

John Murphy, Acting Director of TCD Information Systems Services stated. "Podcasting is the next growth area in higher level education. We are always embracing new technologies, and at the same time using them effectively for teaching, learning and research. The iTunes U interface provides control, flexibly, accessibility and management of the College’s online content in a manner not previously available."

Additional uses of this new initiative include keeping in touch with alumni, promoting the university via video and audio to prospective students and the community at large, and making special guest lectures available to the general public.

For the Trinity College Dublin on iTunes U launch, the site has been populated with podcasts including courses in immunology, education and computer programming, a virtual tour of the university, international and Irish student profiles outlining their ‘Trinity Experience’, the inauguration of the Provost, Dr John Hegarty, the University Chancellor, Mary Robinson’s installation, and material from the Science Gallery.

Among the public lectures available for downloading are award-winning investigative reporter, Seymour Hersh; scientist and broadcaster, Prof Robert Winston; renowned Indian author, Anita Desai; and The First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond, MSP.

People who download podcasts to their computer can transfer them onto mobile devices. This allows students to engage with the content when and where they choose, whether it is at home while studying or commuting on the bus or train.

Visit Trinity College Dublin on iTunes U in the iTunes Store at http://itunes.tcd.ie