Thursday, July 14, 2011

Blog Post #4--UB on iTunes U

I am happy to see that UB in fact has an iTunesU site, however, the state of it leaves much to be desired.  The page is bland and is really simply a listing of the current podcast offerings.  There is nothing selling the site and nothing that would attract users to the UB iTunesU page.  The podcasts all share the same plain blue image and there are only 8 sections of UB with active podcasting pages.  I was happy to notice that many of the schools and "Discover UB" podcasts have relatively recent updates, meaning that they are in fact being used.  The most active podcast by far is the WBFO page, which plays the public radio content for all of Buffalo. 


To better serve its students, the UB iTunes page should have better organization and more attractive aesthetics.  The Columbia Teachers College site on iTunesU features a unique and attractive background.  There is a "What's New" section as well as a "Top Downloads" section, both of which draw in the eye and make for an appealing experience.  The Columbia page is designed much like an iTunes music page would be, with popularity ratings, Top Collections, and Available Tags links.  The site is very user-friendly and actually makes one want to explore.  Each of the courses, lectures, events, and podcasts has its own attractive image and a preview link that allows you to listen first to be sure you are subscribing to the right thing. 

Image from: http://itunes.apple.com/institution/teachers-college-columbia/id395702836#ls=1

UB could definitely benefit from some of the design work at the Columbia site.  There are no helpful links or recommended podcasts at UB's site just as there is little explanation of each podcast.  Columbia's iTunesU site seems like one that users would come to browse and find interesting podcasts to listen to for fun.  UB's iTunesU site seems like one that students in courses are directed to without any outside interest flowing in.  It would be wonderful to see UB develop its iTunesU site even more.
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4 comments:

  1. JasonJuly 15, 2011 at 1:07 AM

    I agree! The UB iTunesU page is u-g-l-y. Not visually appealing, and the content within leaves much to be desired.

    I think the UB iTunesU is used too much as a homework project for students, and not enough as a way for higher education to share its knowledge and ideas with the masses.

    Isn't the point of having a University is to share knowledge and ideas?

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  2. MaryJuly 15, 2011 at 4:50 AM

    I'm with you! You make some great points on what UB is lacking, particularly its lack of aesthetic appeal. What sort of information do you think would make UB's site more interesting?

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  3. JasonJuly 18, 2011 at 8:59 AM

    I think it would be a great place to put up some of the guest lecturers that we frequently have at UB. It's not always easy to see them for one reason or another, and if you're not a student then you don't benefit either. I see that as a golden opportunity for UB to use iTunesU more effectively.

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  4. Beth DaileyJuly 24, 2011 at 7:11 PM

    You're all correct. There is nothing intuitive or appealing about iTunes U (UB). Also, considering the initiatives in place to foster movement toward UB 2020,isn't iTunes U a great fit to showcase research and involvement at UB?

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