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Administrator FAQs on Discounted eTextbooks

Fri, 08/29/2008 - 13:49 — Peter Murray

What is CourseSmart?

CourseSmart is an online marketplace for digital college course materials. It brings together thousands of popular textbooks in electronic format for instructors to sample and students to purchase. As of late August 2008 there were about 4,500 titles from the six largest commercial publishers in the United States with more being added each month.

Instructors can use CourseSmart to find and review all of the information they need to choose their text or course materials, and it gives students immediate access to the materials their professors assign. CourseSmart is also a great value for students who are concerned about the rising cost of college, since digital materials can cost up to 55 percent less than traditional textbooks.

CourseSmart is supported by a wide variety of major higher education publishers. By providing a common environment and platform for reviewing, buying, and using digital course materials, we hope to meet the needs of instructors and students who prefer the flexibility and lower cost of digital textbooks.

What are eTextbooks?

CourseSmart eTextbooks are digital versions of print textbooks enhanced with features such as high-speed search and electronic note-taking. CourseSmart eTextbooks come in two versions: an online version and a downloadable version.

CourseSmart online eTextbooks are viewed through a web browser connected to the Internet. What's more, online eTextbooks require no special plug-ins so you don't have to download anything to your computer. Just log in to your CourseSmart account, subscribe to an eTextbook, and start reading.

Course downloadable eTextbooks are downloaded to your computer. These eTextbooks are viewed through a downloaded CourseSmart reader on your computer and can be used even if you are not connected to the Internet. Your eTextbook is available locally on your computer for the length of your subscription whether or not you are online.

Every effort is made to make an eTextbook look exactly like its comparable print version, including page numbers and the placement of figures, tables, and images. eTextbooks have the same content as print editions and include a feature that lets you "jump" to a specific page or chapter. You can easily find page numbers referenced in reading or homework assignments or an instructor's syllabus.

What is the University System of Ohio’s relationship with CourseSmart?

The University System of Ohio is the first university “system” offering a series of initiatives that make textbooks and other course materials more affordable to students as part of the System’s student-centered philosophy of delivering top quality higher education that is more affordable and flexible than any in the country.

Through a partnership with CourseSmart, the University System of Ohio offer nearly half or more off the print price of the majority of active textbooks from participating publishers to students in the 14 public universities, 23 branch campuses, 24 community colleges, the private independent colleges and universities in the state, and hundreds of adult learning programs across the System.. All Ohio students can access online or downloaded e-textbooks for a fixed period of time at an average discount of 50 to 55 percent below the comparable new print price of textbooks. Over time, more text books will be included in the program so the opportunity for student savings will increase.

How do I set up a relationship with CourseSmart through my campus book store?

Ohio institutions, both public and private, are invited and encouraged to provide the CourseSmart option directly to students via their bookstores. CourseSmart will work directly with campus bookstores to integrate CourseSmart into both the physical and online book stores and course registration sites for student purchases. Book Stores will receive a discount from CS of 10% off the CourseSmart standard prices through the sponsorship of the Ohio Board of Regents. Book stores are free to pass this discount on to students by pricing CS e-textbooks at a price equivalent to the USO web site; they also have the latitude to retail the text at whatever price they choose. Book Stores should arrange for direct CourseSmart distribution by contacting Kevin McKiernan, Director of Business Development, kevin.mckiernan@coursesmart.com, (573-355-1702).

How can my campus bookstore have its inventory appear among the online search results on http://textbooks.uso.edu?

Future iterations for the USO Textbooks Portal site will include the ability to link to campus bookstores. Please send this information to Peter Murray (peter@OhioLINK.edu) to be included in that capability:

  • Bookstore name (name of bookstore as you would like it to appear)
  • Institution (name of the college or university)
  • Branch (name of the branch campus, if appropriate)
  • URL to bookstore homepage
  • URL for title/author keyword searches (if available at e-commerce site)
  • URL for ISBN searches (if available at e-commerce website)

Direct links into inventory systems to display availability and pricing information are also possible; please contact Peter Murray at the e-mail address above for more information.

How does a CourseSmart eTextbook subscription work?

When you subscribe to your first CourseSmart eTextbook, you'll be asked to create a unique username and password. Use this information to sign in to the CourseSmart site every time you want to read this eTextbook, or to subscribe to other CourseSmart eTextbooks.

Once you have subscribed to a CourseSmart eTextbook, you can access that book for the stated subscription period, typically matching the term of use (e.g. 180 days for 1 semester, 360 days for 2 semesters). During your subscription period you can search within the book, add notes and read the book.

After that time, the online version of the eTextbook will still appear under My eTextbooks on your My CourseSmart page but will be labeled "Expired". Expired downloadable versions of the eTextbooks will remain on your CourseSmart Bookshelf until you purchase another downloadable eTextbook or update your license. You can always re-subscribe to any expired eTextbook. You can cancel an online subscription to an eTextbook for a full refund within the first two weeks of purchasing your subscription. Downloadable eTextbooks are not refundable. Read Point #10 on CourseSmart terms of service for a full explanation of refund policies.

Can students buy regular print textbooks on CourseSmart?

CourseSmart only offers digital eTextbooks at this time.

Why is there more than one ISBN displayed for CourseSmart items?

ISBNs, or International Standard Book Numbers, are assigned to unique versions of the book. The hardback paper version is assigned one ISBN and the digital version through CourseSmart is assigned another. The ISBNs that are displayed through CourseSmart represent the digital and one or more paper versions of the book. Also, the ISBN numbering system is changing from a 10 digit numbering scheme to a 13 digit numbering scheme. During this change in the system, some 10 digit and 13-digit ISBN numbers are equivalent.