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Using iTunes U with Blackboard

Why use Blackboard to access iTunes U?

In Blackboard, you can link directly to a specific piece of content in iTunes U. For example, you can create a link to a specific audio file, or a specific course tab or course page. In contrast, the MyRegent portal link simply logs you in to Regent's iTunes U home page, which means you have to browse to the correct course and content area to find the media you're looking for.

How to access iTunes U from Blackboard

Every Blackboard course has an iTunes U icon in the Course Tools area of the course. This is a basic way for you to enter iTunes U from Blackboard. However, this only links to the main iTunes U home page, rather than to a specific course or content item in iTunes U.

To link to a specific piece of content, you'll need to add an iTunes U Link in a Blackboard content area.

Creating a link to iTunes U content

Creating an iTunes link in Blackboard is almost as simple as creating a link to any website. You'll need to have access to the course control panel (as an instructor, assistant, etc).

  1. First, log in to iTunes U using the MyRegent Portal link or the iTunes U link in the Course tools area, and navigate to the iTunes U area you wish to create a link to.

  2. In Blackboard, go to the course control panel, and navigate to any content folder in your Blackboard course (for example, Course Materials, Assignments, etc.)

  3. In the drop-down menu at the top right-hand side of the toolbar, select iTunes U Link, and click the Go button.


  4. In the next page, enter a name for your iTunes U link. This can be any name that you choose.

  5. Then, switch to iTunes and drag the content item, course link, course tab, or breadcrumb item into the iTunes URL field in Blackboard. To see a visual demonstration, click here.

  6. Alternately, you can use copy and paste to get a URL from iTunes. First, right-click on the tab, course link, or content item you wish to link to. Choose "Copy iTunes Store URL". Then, switch to Blackboard and use your browser's paste command to paste the URL into the iTunes URL field.

You have successfully created an iTunes U link in your Blackboard course! You can modify, remove, or set availibility restrictions on this link just like you can with any other Blackboard content item. Test your link to make sure it works correctly before making it available to students.

You may want to read further for some additional tips on getting iTunes to work correctly with your Blackboard course.

Opening iTunes for the first time from Blackboard

If you've never opened iTunes from Blackboard before, there are a few extra steps you may be required to do before iTunes will open.

  1. First, make sure iTunes is installed on your computer. If you're using Windows, look in your Program menu to see if iTunes is installed. If not, you can download it for free from http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/. Then, open iTunes from your program menu and answer the startup questions iTunes asks. If you don't know the answer to a question, accept the default and continue with the iTunes startup wizard. Once you've completed the iTunes setup, iTunes will open.

  2. Now, click the iTunes link in Blackboard and your web browser will take care of the rest. If you're using a Mac or Windows with Internet Explorer, iTunes will automatically open for you. If you're sent to an Apple iTunes download page, this means that iTunes is not installed on your computer.

Using Firefox?

If you're using Firefox, you may have to answer a few extra security questions the first time you click an iTunes link in Blackboard. Once you provide answers to these questions, you won't have to answer them again.

After clicking on an iTunes link in Blackboard, you may see the following buttons. Click the "I Have iTunes" button. if you don't have iTunes, click the other button and download iTunes from the Apple download page.


Next, you may be presented with a security prompt. Firefox is requesting permission to open iTunes. Make sure to select the checkbox that says "Remember my choice for all links of this type", then click "Launch application". Firefox will then open iTunes with the Blackboard link.



Congratulations! Firefox is now set up to open iTunes with links from Blackboard. You will not be asked these questions by Firefox again.