Using digital courseware or learning tools

Digital courseware

Digital courseware are supplemental, publisher-created materials that could include homework and problem sets, quiz and test banks, and adaptive learning tools with immediate feedback. Your students can use digital courseware for a great deal of extra practice. You can use digital courseware to reduce the time you spend creating and grading assignments.

If you are interested in using digital courseware in your course:

• Contact your textbook publisher representative to see if you have courseware associated with your textbook.
• Order your courseware through IU eTexts if it is from one of these publishers. By ordering through IU eTexts the materials can be integrated into Canvas. Additionally, ordering through IU eTexts provides your students:
  • Discounted pricing (usually around 25% off retail prices).
  • Access on or before the first day of class.
  • Billing through their bursar account, so all forms of financial aid apply.

About courseware

• Publisher courseware typically includes eTexts as well as the courseware.
• Both the courseware and the accompanying eTexts are presented on the publisher's e-reading platform, not IU eTexts (Unizin Engage).
• IU eTexts does not load courseware to your Canvas course. Your publisher representative will provide instructions for how you will integrate their product into your course.
• Be sure to ask the publisher if the courseware is accessible for students with disabilities. If a student cannot use the courseware due to a disability, you will need to create an alternative that provides equal benefits. For questions to ask, see, Accessibility questions to ask a publisher when considering materials for your course.

Learning tools

Learning tools are all the other non-textbook based, digital learning materials that are typically offered by vendors, not publishers, and include products like communication tools, simulations, games, video feedback programs, software, and video tutorials.

If you are interested in using learning tools in your course:

• Check Tool Finder {enter link} first to see if IU already has a comparable tool that has already been approved and is probably free for faculty and students.
• Order your Learning Tool through IU eTexts if it is from one of these vendors. By ordering through IU eTexts,the some learning tools may be integrated into Canvas. Others do not yet offer Canvas integration. Additionally, ordering through IU eTexts provides your students:
  • Discounted pricing (usually around 25% off retail prices).
  • Access on or before the first day of class.
  • Billing through their bursar account, so all forms of financial aid apply.

About learning tools

• Learning tools do not have an accompanying eText.
• Learning tools are presented on the vendor’s platform, not IU eTexts Unizin Engage.
• IU eTexts does not load learning tools to your course. IU eTexts staff will connect you to a vendor representative who will work directly with you to finalize the set-up of the tool, and if necessary, provide access codes for you to give to your students.
• Support for learning tools comes directly form the vendor. IU eTexts does not have access to these online products.