Overview
This article outlines some common questions and troubleshooting related to VitalSource courseware access.
FAQs
Q1. How do I access my VitalSource Courseware? I don’t see a VitalSource link in my Brightspace course content section. What should I do?
A: The location should be mentioned in the course syllabus within Brightspace. Typically the Course Information module is for online courses. This link might be found in the Course content, Introduction section, or with your course reading material/books for in-person courses. If you do not see a VitalSource link in your Brightspace course Content section or elsewhere, please contact your instructor.
Q2. The VitalSource link is available, but I don’t have access to the textbook. What’s wrong?
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If you just registered for the course, it could take up to 24 hours before the textbook becomes available.
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If you get the message that there are no course materials for their class, try again in a few minutes.
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See browser troubleshooting error messages below for the most common solutions.
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Courseware account issue. Please reach out to the CTS Help Desk, as we may need to contact the publishers.
Q3. When are VitalSource links available?
A: Unfortunately, there's no single, universal answer to exactly when VitalSource links become available in Brightspace. This is because availability depends on several factors, including:
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Instructor Setup:
- Instructors may choose to make the links available well before the start of class, or they might wait until closer to or even after the first day.
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VitalSource and Brightspace Integration for Inclusive Access (IA) Programs:
- The technical integration between VitalSource and Brightspace needs to be properly set up for the links to function. This usually happens on the administrative side of the institution, and well in advance of the start of the semester.
Q4. Can I access my courseware via the Brightspace mobile app?
A: No, unfortunately, courseware with VitalSource works with a mobile browser or computer/laptop instead.
Q6. Can I access my Inclusive Access materials offline?
A: Yes. Once you’ve downloaded your digital textbooks via the Bookshelf app, you can access them offline, making it easy to study anytime, anywhere.
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Ensure you have signed in with your SUNY Oswego Brightspace account on a computer browser.
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Ensure you have completed the browser settings and followed the additional troubleshooting instructions below to fix common errors.
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If you get the message that there are no course materials for their class, try again in a few minutes.
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Contact CTS for further assistance with accessing your courseware.
Below are browser instructions you can take to ensure access to your courseware.
Additional Courseware Troubleshooting
After browser settings are checked and you still cannot access your courseware, try to do the following:
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Clear cache and cookies for all time
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Try another browser or an incognito/private browser session (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari)
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Reboot your computer
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If you have antivirus software, try to turn it off to access the courseware. If it works, you may navigate to the antivirus software security settings to ensure there are no interruptions to the standard HTTP/HTTPS Ports (ports 80 and 443).
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Check your wifi firewall or security settings and make sure ports 80 and 443 are open or forwarded for your computer.
If the steps above do not work, please contact your courseware online support or the CTS Help Desk for assistance. Here is the contact information for courseware online support.
Need Help?
Need additional information or assistance? Contact CTS.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. State University of New York at Oswego Division of Extended Learning and Campus Technology Services
