Immediate Access Course Materials

Immediate Access Course Materials

Publishers and educational material providers are moving rapidly to develop a variety of digital course materials including, but not limited to: adaptive learning products, courseware, eBooks, supplementary learning materials, homework, examinations, software and other educational products. In a growing number of instances, digital course materials may make the purchase of the materials mandatory for a student to succeed in a course that uses the digital course materials.

The ISU Bookstore, Procurement Services, Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT), and IT have partnered to develop contracts with publishers and content providers in order to protect student information and develop affordable pricing strategies. As part of the processes that have been developed to enable utilization of Immediate Access digital course materials, the ISU Bookstore charges the university bill of each student in an enrolled course that has adopted Immediate Access. Students then receive access to the digital course materials on the first day of class. According to the Department of Education, the cost of Immediate Access course materials must be below competitive market prices, and students must be offered the opportunity to voluntary opt-out and received a refund within a defined time period.

With the implementation of Immediate Access at Iowa State University, these guidelines have been developed to enable access by faculty and students to the latest innovations in learning materials, while also protecting faculty and students from the potential negative impacts of mandatory digital course material adoptions.

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