What are my course material options?
Where can I find these?
What methods of delivery are available for my course material?
Answer:
Most of the course content which has been recommended or required for you to purchase by your prof/instructor is available to purchase as a traditional print textbook or you can purchase content via electronic or digital means. Print textbooks and access to most digital products can be purchased from your campus bookstore, online retailers or direct from the publishers websites. Or you can review and print (for a subscription fee) content from www.coursesmart.com - students should make this a hotlink.
What is coursesmart?
Answer:
CourseSmart goes beyond traditional expectations–providing instant, online access to the textbooks and course materials you need at an average savings of 50%. With instant access from any computer and the ability to search your text, you’ll find the content you need quickly, no matter where you are. And with online tools like highlighting and note-taking, you can save time and study efficiently. See all the benefits at www.coursesmart.com/students
Why do print textbooks go into new editions?
Answer:
On average the cycle for print textbooks is 3-4 years and sometimes longer. It is imperative that publishers or content creators ensure the learning materials they develop are current. In order to do that publishers print enough inventory assuming the book will be required by educational institutions across Canada for 2-3 years.
What do publishers offer at no cost and where can I find this material? (i.e.online
publishers, websites etc)?
Answer:
Publishers often provide additional online learning tools or supplementary materials for students in many courses . Once a student has purchased the textbook they will be provided with a pincode and/or textbook website address where they then have access to other content on the publisher’s website. All the information regarding how to access specific publishers’ websites is contained within the package when the book purchase has been made.
How do I find out where I can buy my textbooks if the bookstore doesn't have what I need in stock?
Answer:
Publishers work closely with both faculty and the bookstore to ensure an appropriate quantity of books based on enrolment is available in a timely fashion for students. If the store has run out of inventory of a book you require ask the store textbook manager when they expect to receive more stock from the publisher. Alternatively you can go directly to the publisher’s website and purchase what you need.
Who decides what course materials will be used?
Answer:
Faculty/instructors work with publishers well in advance of the academic year to determine which content from which publisher best meet the needs of the course outline and the needs of the instructor and their students. After careful review of all content (and supplementary materials for students) within the learning materials package, each department within each institution chooses the materials they will adopt for that course.
What is the difference between a print textbook and an eBook?
Answer:
In terms of the content and the interior design of the print book and the ebook – there is no difference. The difference between these offerings is strictly about format and delivery options for students and how they would like to purchase the content.
What is online Homework or online assessment material?
Answer:
These materials are made available to faculty/instructors for their students. Online Homework/Assessment material is included as part of an online learning environment designed to aid the student in successful completion of the course. The Homework/Assessment tool is also used by the instructor to evaluate the student in an online environment. These tools are available based on the adopted course material.
What are the differences between downloadable and online versions of course materials?
Answer:
Online versions of course materials are accessed while connected to the Internet and are purchased on a subscription basis. The online format means the student can access the course material from multiple computers whenever connected to the Internet.
For downloadable versions of course materials, no Internet connection is needed except for the initial download. The content is downloaded to a single device. Downloadable products can be purchased on a subscription basis at www.coursesmart.com or on a permanent basis for select products from the bookstore or direct from the publisher’s website.
What is an access code or pincode and how do I use it to access materials online?
Answer:
Students are provided with an access or pincode from the publisher enabling the student to download content specific to the other course materials which have been adopted and are being used in the class by the instructor. Pincodes or access codes are for single student use only (not to be shared among classmates).
Can I access digital versions of textbooks on my iPhone?
Answer:
Yes you can. When you access coursemart.com for your course materials you will be able to download to your iPhone based on a subscription price as outlined at www.coursesmart.com – you might want to add this site as a hotlink.
What are the copyright laws regarding printing of digital textbooks?
Answer:
Although this answer varies from publisher to publisher students can usually print single pages or sections from digital textbooks but students cannot print entire chapters or textbooks. Most digital textbooks also have highlighting features making it easy to create your own notes.