As iTunes U, a free content-management system from Apple Computer Inc. that adapts Apple's iTunes for campus use, becomes more popular on college campuses, many schools are choosing to make their educational content available not only to students, but to the public as well.

The University of California, Berkeley, in late April announced Berkeley on iTunes U, a free service that makes video and audio recordings of course lectures available both on and off campus through Apple's iTunes Music Store.

Berkeley on iTunes U is open to the public as well as to all UC Berkeley students, bringing the campus's multimedia assets together.

"This reinforces the digital bridge to our students, alumni, and the world and allows us to explore new distribution channels," said Obadiah Greenberg, product manager for webcast.berkeley, UC Berkeley's local site that delivers course and event content as podcasts and streaming video. "It also allows UC Berkeley to broaden what we make available, including video podcasts and other digital material."

Greenberg added: "As a public university, UC Berkeley has a tradition of openness. It really speaks to our motto--'Fiat Lux,' let there be light."

UC Berkeley's system of "coursecasting" lets students and the general public download audio and video recordings of class lectures to their computers, iPods, and other MP3 players.

"I can pull out my iPod at any time, whether I'm in the car, or on the plane, or on the treadmill, and go over the material that I didn't quite understand, or just listen to the parts that interested me," said UC Berkeley freshman Danielle Ownbey.

In 2001, UC Berkeley's Educational Technology Services division began webcasting lectures and special events to students and the public, and last year it began introducing podcasting courses. Since then, more faculty members have been signing on to the program.

This semester, webcast.berkeley is offering 30 courses as podcasts, including "Foundations of American Cyberculture," "Introduction to Chemistry," and "Wildlife Ecology."

Once users subscribe to a course through Berkeley on iTunes U, the latest course material is automatically delivered to the user's podcasting device. Listeners also can browse and download individual files. UC Berkeley's podcasting system is automated and remotely controlled.

"All the instructor has to do is show up and turn on the microphone," Greenberg said.

"At each lecture, I feel that I am presenting European history not just to my students but to the world," said UC Berkeley history professor Thomas Laqueur, who has received positive feedback from subscribers in countries such as Sweden, India, and China.

The University of Michigan's Stephen M. Ross School of Business is making select content available to the public through Ross on iTunes U, which offers free access to events, seminars, and news.