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Publisher Materials and Third-Party Courseware
Some courses use courseware to integrate complex assessments and grading not available in D2L Brightspace. Each type of courseware has different uses and goals, but effort is made to maintain consistency. Top priority is to ensure that students can access and understand the courseware tools used within a course.
Generally, courseware will have a master shell. Before the start of every session the courseware must be copied and setup up. Software required by a course, such as MS Project, Office, or other applications which require a license to use are not considered courseware. These don’t require us to setup up a shell or click a link every session. However, we can help create setup and support guides, especially if they are used in multiple courses.
Most courseware is accessed from a widget located below the instructor profile on the course homepage. All courses with courseware will include links to courseware publisher accessibility resources in addition to the standard CC accessibility resources.
All courseware should have an access link in the Content area of the course. In Content, there may also be direct links to courseware assignments. Student and instructor guides with set-by-step instructions for logging in and troubleshooting common issues as well as CC and publisher support resources are also located in Content.
Courseware that contains the etext will open the Monday before the session start date, assignment dates should be set to first day of session or later.
Students and instructors need to create an account using their Cougarmail credentials to use each courseware for the first time.
During course design, once the textbook and publisher courseware are selected and approved, the courseware can be integrated with D2L. If a course developer does not have an account with the given courseware, the ID will assist the developer in setting up an account. The ID requests that the IT set up the courseware integration. IT may need to contact the publisher for courseware shell. IT provides helpful documentation or assistance, if needed. ITs also oversee all courseware and sets up live integrations for each session. Below is a summary list of common courseware.
Macmillan – Achieve
Achieve is used for CHEM 109 and occasionally on campus (OC) day courses. This courseware disables use of the VitalSource bookshelf, requiring students to access their eText through the Achieve courseware platform. Achieve allows integrated assignments and grade syncing. Achieve setup requires course ID code and best practice is to always enable auto enrollment.
Connect
Connect is common among courses that use courseware. Connect courseware allows textbook assessments and grade syncing. Connect courseware masters are copied each session then shared to each D2L section.
Cengage – MindTap & VitalSource
MindTap courseware is published by Cengage, also the publisher of the VitalSoucre bookshelf. MindTap courseware works with VitalSource bookshelf so students can access their eText through the D2L navbar link or from within the MindTap courseware platform. This courseware does not have a homepage widget, MindTap access is in the course content and intergraded assignment links with connected grade items can be added throughout the course. This courseware requires direct IT involvement during design as the final courseware setup in the D2L master can require extra steps and edits can cause bugs. Best practice is to read assignment descriptions and not set assignment due dates within the MindTap courseware.
Knewton
Knewton courseware does not interfere with the VitalSource bookshelf. Used in a number of Math courses. This courseware does not have a homepage widget, Knewton access is in the course content integrated courseware links can be connected throughout the course.
Pearson
MyLab and Mastering Pearson, like Connect, is common among courses that use courseware. This courseware can disable VitalSource bookshelf, requiring students to access their eText through the Pearson courseware platform. Pearson allows integrated assignments and grade syncing. Courseware masters are copied to each section each session.
Bongo
Bongo is a deeply integrated presentation tool that facilitates presentations and other individual and group video assignment presentations. Students can record with their webcam and share their screen as well as attach files to be submitted. It also offers the option to upload a video file created with a digital camera, smartphone, or other video capture device. It allows for peer review of submitted presentations. This tool is best utilized for presentation assignments.
Video Note
Video Note is a D2L Brightspace tool that allows recording video or audio using your computer’s webcam or a microphone and instantly publish it in your D2L course. It also offers the option to upload a video file created with a digital camera, smartphone, or other video capture device. Audio and video recordings can include automatic closed captions. This tool is best utilized in course discussions or for delivering information in announcements and lectures. Video Note is not considered courseware.
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