Anyone been able to successfully use iTunes U with Apple Configurator?

I am working in an elementary classroom environment in which students do not have apple ID's but are assigned an iPad in many of their classes. I have not yet set them up to be supervised by Apple Configurator. I am wondering if Apple config will jive with iTunes U and if I will be able to deploy courses to the iPads once they are managed by configurator, without having to have apple ID's for the students. While it would make sense to use config and iTunes U in tandem in a classroom setting, the base structures of the two programs seem contradictory: personalized vs. controlled..... Any input is helpful! Thanks