Trinity College Dublin enters podcasting with iTunes


3 Jun 2008

A selection of audio and video lectures and talks from Trinity College Dublin (TCD) today became available on Apple’s educational podcast service, iTunes U, making it the first Irish university to join.

The iTunes U store is a free educational research tool that works in association with educational institutes around the world. Today marked the arrival of institutes from Ireland, the UK, Australia and New Zealand.

TCD’s iTunes U site contains a selection of audio and video podcasts, including a public lecture from Nobel prize-winner and co-discoverer of the structure of DNA, Dr James Watson, as well as courses on the disciplines of immunology, education and computer programming.

As TCD provost, Dr John Hegarty, pointed out, Trinity College is now the oldest established university in iTunes U, having been founded in 1592.

Hegarty said: “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.”

Podcasting is the next growth area in higher-level education, according to John Murphy, acting director of TCD Information Systems Services: “The iTunes U interface provides control, flexibly, accessibility and management of the college’s online content in a manner not previously available.”

TCD can be found on iTunes U at http://itunes.tcd.ie.

By Marie Boran