Canvas (Instructors) - Textbook Integrations
Some instructors choose to make use of the digital resources provided by textbook publishers as external application integrations for Canvas. Generally, these come at some additional cost to students but offer them the ability to practice formative tasks and access third-party learning materials through Canvas.
Publisher Integrations Currently Approved For Use
A full list of approved external application integrations in the Universities of Wisconsin Canvas environment is available in the UW DLE knowledge base.
Requesting Integration Installations
Most textbook integrations must be installed on a course-by-course basis by UWGB Canvas Administrators. To request the installation of an approved integration, please fill out the External Tool Integration Request Form available on the Instructor Resources page of the UWGB Canvas Login website or use this direct link to the External Tool Integration Request Form.
To request an integration that is not on the list of approved tools, please email UWGB Canvas administrators at dle@uwgb.edu to request that the integration be put forward for approval. Approval is based upon publisher compliance with UW System Administration policies. Most requests for new tool approvals take 30-60 days to complete. For more information on the integration evaluation and review process, visit the UW DLE External Application Integration Request webpage.
Support for Textbook Integrations
All technical support for textbook publisher integrations beyond the initial installation of the tool in Canvas must come from the publisher.
Considering Whether to Use a Textbook Integration
Benefits
- Students can access their textbook from anywhere with a computer and sometimes on other devices like smartphones.
- Pre-existing interactive activities may be available (e.g., flashcards or quizzes).
- There may be dynamic opportunities for students to learn more while reading, such as clicking on words they don’t know to get their definitions.
Drawbacks
- If the text does not have an offline version, the student cannot access it without an internet connection.
- Publisher portals are another layer of technology, and can suffer from outages, account creation and password issues, and software bugs.
- Compared to a physical textbook, it might be easier for students to get distracted if they have to use an electronic device to access their textbook and study.
- You and your students must rely on publisher-provided support. UW-Green Bay staff and Canvas support staff can't assist with or troubleshoot issues with publisher content.