Digital Textbook Access for Students | Laurier Bookstore
Digital Textbook Access
The two main goals of Digital Textbook Access
Reduce the overall cost of course materials
Provide access to the digital resources on the first day of class to support academic achievement
The Process is Simple:
Your instructor decides to include the use of an e-text or interactive courseware platform in their course.
Students are notified prior to the start of classes, by email that their course is using the Digital Textbook Access model.
Access is provided automatically for every student enrolled in the course on the first day of class.
Students can access the digital resources for 2 weeks at no charge, during which time they can opt out if they choose.
Students who choose to use and continue to access their digital resources will have the digital textbook access charges billed to their student account (LORIS).
Students who drop the course prior to the opt-out deadline are automatically opted out and are not billed.
Why we did it & Why it works
The price of printed textbooks has increased astronomically over the last 10 years, surpassing almost all other economic indexes.
An alarming percentage of students choose to forego acquiring their course materials altogether, putting their academic success at risk.
Over the last 7 years, the Digital Textbook Access program at Laurier has saved students over $10 million.
The Digital Textbook Access program offers students 40-55% lower pricing than the equivalent price for print.
Benefits to students
40 – 55% lower than the equivalent pricing for printed textbooks.
Course materials are conveniently available on the first day of class through MyLearningSpace.
You are able to work offline and online using the Bookshelf e-reader application, accessing your resources anytime, anywhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Digital Textbook Access?
Digital Textbook Access is the system used to provide the access and billing when an instructor uses digital content in their course. Access is provided through MyLearningSpace on the first day of class and the digital textbook access cost is billed to the student’s account after the 10th day of classes.
What are Interactive or Adaptive Courseware Platforms?
Interactive courseware is much more than just an e-book. While platforms like Mastering, Mindtap and Connect typically include a full digital text, they have an added interactive content including videos, interactive quizzes, homework sets designed to make the reading more engaging. Various levels of customization are allowed in the event the instructor would like to share notes peer to peer.
How much does Digital Textbook Access cost?
The publisher provides us with the lowest possible price for the digital resources. The pricing varies depending on the platform and content used by the instructor, but Digital Textbook Access prices are on average 40 – 55% lower the cost of a new printed text.
How do I gain access?
The process for accessing resources is different for the various resources and publishers. For publisher specific information, please refer to the Vendor section further down this page.
For Vital Source Bookshelf resources:
You will find access to the digital resources in your course on MyLearningSpace. The access and instructions are in the Content section.
Be sure to download your Digital Textbook, which is the required resource for your course. Follow these easy steps:
On the first day of class go to your course in MyLearningSpace
Go to the Content section of your course
Find and click on the link to the resource
Create your Bookshelf account using your Laurier log in credentials and start using your required resources!
Download the Bookshelf app to access the resources and printing features when you are working offline
How does the Bookshelf e-reader work?
There are a number of advantages to using the Bookshelf e-reader:
Anytime, anywhere access
Listen to your e-text using text-to-speech capabilities
You have the ability to load your e-text on up to four of your personal devices
Perpetual access through your personal devices
The ability to print your e-text if you prefer hard copies (you have to claim/download your e-text in order to print
How do I obtain technical support for the Bookshelf e-reader?
The Vitalsource support team is ready to assist you. Phone and email support are available 24/7
What if I am a student from another institution (University of Waterloo) taking a Laurier course?
It is the responsibility of all students (Laurier, University of Waterloo etc.) who are registered in a Laurier Digital Textbook Access course to monitor their @mylaurier.ca email account for information relating to their DTA course and opting out.
Charges for the digital resources will be applied to your Laurier LORIS account and must be paid through Laurier.
How do I pay for accessing the digital resources?
The charges for the digital resources will be billed to your student account (LORIS) after the opt-out deadline. Students who opt out or drop the course by the opt-out deadline are not billed.
*Please Note: These fees may not be covered by OSAP if your funding has already been applied to your account. You will need to submit payment by your invoice due date.
What does it mean to opt out?
The opt-out deadline for all 12-week Digital Textbook Access courses is the 10th day of instruction (for the 6-week courses, the deadline is 5 instructional days).
When you opt out, access to all online content (e-text and courseware platforms such as Mindtap, Mastering and Connect) is disconnected and you are removed from the billing schedule
You must opt out if you choose to purchase your access through a different source
I opted out by mistake and realized that I still need access. Can I opt back in?
If you wish to opt back in after the opt out deadline, email digitaltextaccess@wlu.ca and you will be advised based on timing whether this is possible. If it is before the deadline, you can opt yourself back in through the student portal sent in the emails we have sent you or through the widget in MyLearningSpace.
I dropped the course. Do I still need to opt out?
Students who drop the course during the normal drop period for the course will be automatically “opted out” and your student account will not be charged.
Who should I contact if I am having trouble accessing the online content?
I added the class late. Do I still have 10 days to opt out?
The deadline to opt out is the 10th day of instruction regardless of the add date. A welcome email is sent to your Laurier email account on the day you enrol in the course to inform you that you are in a digital textbook access course and to advise of the opt out deadline.
I didn't get an email about my course but other students in my class did. Was I sent an email?
All students enrolled in courses associated with Digital Textbook Access receive a Welcome email and two subsequent emails with opt out information from the system, sent to their Laurier email address. If you have not received the email(s) please contact digitaltextaccess@wlu.ca.
I have further questions that were not addressed. Who do I contact?
If your question wasn't answered in this FAQ, please email digitaltextaccess@wlu.ca and the Digital Textbook Access team will be happy to assist you.
Textbook 101 Videos
Accessing Your Digital Textbook Access Resources
How to Opt Out of Your Digital Textbook Access Resources
Publisher Guidelines for Digital Textbook Access Resources
Cengage
Cengage resources are provided through Vital Source and their bookshelf application. To gain access, please navigate to the content section of your course and locate the folder containing your e-text link. By clicking this link you will be able to access your resources. Should you ever lose access, please try clearing your cache folder and click the link again. If the problem persists, please contact digitaltextaccess@wlu.ca for assistance.
Cengage Access Codes to their MindTap platform are be located in the emails you receive about the DTA program. You will receive at least 3 of these between start of classes and up until the opt out deadline. Please review these e-mails to find the code you need to access this content. Please note, not all Cengage resources have this component, you only need to look for this if your course is using one of these codes.
McGraw
McGraw resources are delivered through their Connect platform. In the content section of your course, navigate to the Connect Assignment link. Click launch and register through the McGraw Hill platform. Your ebook and any Connect based assignments will be located there. A PowerPoint set of instructions will also be posted in the content section of MyLearningSpace. In most cases, there will not be a Vital Source ebook with this. If there is, the link to this will be located in the content section of your course. Please ensure you access the resource prior to the opt-out deadline to ensure there are no access interruptions later in the term.
Norton
Norton resources are provided through their own platform. To access these resources please navigate to the links in the content section of your My Learning Space page for your course. After you click the link in My Learning Space for the Norton e-book or assessment platform, you will be prompted to accept the Norton terms of use and privacy policy by checking a box. You will then see a “note to students” and need to click Continue. Once that is complete you will gain access to the resource. You will continue to access the resource through this platform and through this link.
Oxford
Oxford resources are provided through Vital Source and their bookshelf application. To gain access, please navigate to the content section of your course and locate the folder containing your E-text link. By clicking this link you will be able to access your resources. Should you ever lose access, please try clearing your cache folder and click the link again. If the problem persists, please contact digitaltextaccess@wlu.ca for assistance.
Pearson
Pearson resources are provided through Vital Source and their bookshelf application. To gain access, please navigate to the content section of your course and locate the folder containing your E-text link. By clicking this link you will be able to access your resources. Should you ever lose access, please try clearing your cache folder and click the link again. If the problem persists, please contact digitaltextaccess@wlu.ca for assistance. Pearson Access Codes for their Mylab, Revel, or Mastering platforms are located in the instruction power point in the content section of My Learning Space. Please review these instructions to find the codes you need to access this additional content. Please note, not all Pearson resources have this component, you only need to look for this if your course is using one of these codes.
Sage
Sage resources are provided through Vital Source and their bookshelf application. To gain access, please navigate to the content section of your course and locate the folder containing your E-text link. By clicking this link you will be able to access your resources. Should you ever lose access, please try clearing your cache folder and click the link again. If the problem persists please contact digitaltextaccess@wlu.ca for assistance.
Top Hat
About Top Hat Top Hat is a cloud-based platform designed to increase student engagement and real-time feedback. Instructors engage students using interactive slides, graded questions, customized content, videos, discussions, and polls. Students can use their smartphones, tablets, or laptops to participate.
Top Hat Interactive Textbooks (Including Nelson) Top Hat textbooks are dynamic. Packed with interactive features, engaging material and checkpoints, optimized to reinforce key concepts from the reading which students love. They’re also fully customizable by the instructor to meet your distinct course objectives—and to ensure students stay motivated in and out of class.
How to Access Your Course through DTA Each Top Hat course has a unique identifier, a 6-digit join code that differentiates your Professor’s Top Hat course from any other courses.
You should receive an email to enroll in your Top Hat course. You will also be able to access your Top Hat course with a link in Brightspace.
Getting Help A variety of support services are available to help you prepare for using Top Hat in your courses.
Wiley e-books are provided through Vital Source and their bookshelf application. To gain access, please navigate to the content section of your course and locate the folder containing your e-text link. By clicking this link, you will be able to access your resources. Should you ever lose access, please try clearing your cache folder and click the link again. If the problem persists, please contact digitaltextaccess@wlu.ca for assistance.
Should your course require a Wiley Plus component; from your MyLS section, click your Content section, then click on Wiley Course Resources. If you already have a WileyPLUS account, please click on Login to an existing Account. If this is your first term using WileyPLUS complete the form and click submit. Please make sure you use your Laurier e-mail address to register. This will give you access to the Wiley Plus component of your course.
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