What is the VitalSource Integration?
The VitalSource Course Materials Canvas integration creates a course navigation link which students can select to access their virtual bookshelf of all eBooks purchased through the UWGB Bookstore (Ambassador). Instructors who are using a digital textbook (eBook) in their course should enable the "VitalSource Course Materials" course navigation menu link from the Navigation tab of the Settings page of their Canvas course so that students have an easy way to access their eBook(s).
When Should Instructors Enable the Integration?
Instructors who are using an eBook in their course, especially those who selected the "Inclusive Access" option, should enable this link in the Canvas course navigation menu settings to make it easier for students to access the book from within Canvas. If the instructor is using a publisher's external tool integration for courseware (for example, McGraw-Hill Connect or Cengage MindTap), it is usually not necessary to enable the VitalSource Course Materials integration in addition to the publisher's integration, as the publisher's integration typically provides eBook access.
How to Enable the VitalSource Link in Course Navigation (Instructors)
- Navigate to your Canvas course and select Settings in the course navigation menu.
- Select the Navigation tab.
- Scroll down and find the "VitalSource Course Materials" item under the "Drag items here to hide them from students" section and then click and drag it up into the list of active links above or select the options (three dots) icon > Enable.
- Select the Save button at the bottom of the page.
Find more information on managing Canvas course navigation links on the official Canvas Instructor Guide.
Accessing eBooks (Students)
Accessing eBooks with the VitalSource Integration
As a student, the first time you select the "VitalSource Course Materials" link in any Canvas course navigation menu, you will be prompted to connect your Canvas account with a new or existing VitalSource account. After completing this setup step and each time you select the VitalSource link in a course from then on, you will be taken to your "Bookshelf" which contains all of the content for which you have an active license.
For how-to guides on how to view books both online and offline and use other features of the VitalSource Bookshelf, please visit the VitalSource Support website.
Accessing eBooks Outside of Canvas
To access eBooks from the Bookstore website, select the "My Account" link in the top navigation, select the eBooks tab and then select the "Access eBooks" button. This will bring you to your eBooks bookshelf which may require you to log in or connect a VitalSource account to access your books.
Students can also download the VitalSource Bookshelf app on desktop and mobile devices for easy access to eBooks.
Bookstore Support
If you need help accessing or purchasing your digital course materials, please contact the bookstore.