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Faculty FAQs on Discounted eTextbooks

Fri, 08/29/2008 - 13:18 — 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 (free access to the entire textbook for review) 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. Because the eText is digital, there are no shipping charges or delays. 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 version: an online version (you need to be connected to the Internet to use) and a downloadable version (a locally stored file that you can access without being connected to the Internet).

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. Your eTextbook is available locally on your computer for the length of your subscription whether or not your 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 your 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, and hundreds of adult learning programs across the System as well as in the private independent colleges and universities in the state. 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 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 renew 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.

How do students subscribe to CourseSmart eTextbooks?

Using http://textbooks.uso.edu, students from OhioLINK member institutions can search CourseSmart and purchase eTextbooks at the lowest price available through the University of Ohio sponsored program. In the future, students will have the opportunity to purchase CourseSmart eTextbooks at campus bookstores that choose to participate in the program.

I'm an instructor. How can I request an exam copy?

From any book detail page, instructors that have signed into CourseSmart can “Request An Online Exam Copy.” Just fill out the information and click Submit. Your information will be validated by our partners (typically takes about one day), and you will receive an email notification that your eTextbook is available for evaluation at My CourseSmart.

I'm an instructor. I need help signing in?

Before you can sign in you must create an account. In some cases an account may have been created for you by one of CourseSmart's publisher partners to give you access to one of their textbooks online. You would have received an email notification (either from welcome@coursesmart.com or update@coursesmart.com) containing your sign in information including password. If you can no longer locate this email, simply enter your faculty email address into the email field, and click the "Forgot Password" link. If you have never before signed in, you may leave the security question blank (you will be prompted to complete it when you log in). Click the "Retrieve Password" button. If your account already exists you will be sent an email with your password momentarily. If your account does not exist, click the "Create Account" link in the upper right corner of the page then complete the form. Once you have created an account, use the email and password from your account to sign in.

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.