• What is CourseSmart?
• What are eTextbooks?
• How do I subscribe to CourseSmart eTextbooks?
• How does a CourseSmart eTextbook subscription work?
• Can I buy regular print textbooks on CourseSmart?
• Why is there more than one ISBN displayed for CourseSmart items?

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.

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 new print textbooks.  Access is provided typically for 180 days and for some books 360 days or more.

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 are 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: online version and 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 available free at the CourseSmart site. Your eTextbook is available locally on your computer (you don’t need to be on the Internet to use it) 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 your instructor's syllabus.

How do I 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 this 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. Check with your local campus bookstore.

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 your subscription has ended, 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.

Can I 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 a different ISBN.  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.