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Publishers "add value" to traditional textbooks by offering online resources that complement or even replace the text. These resources typically include a digital version of the text along with exercises and activities that can supplement your own course design. These options can make publisher course materials very attractive, but they also contribute to publisher course material prices remaining very high in many disciplines (skip ahead to the next page if you'd like to learn about no- and low-cost alternatives to using publisher materials in your classes).

If you are interested in using a publisher's online resources in a class, in addition to the quality and cost of the materials, there are some other important considerations for you to explore and perhaps discuss with disciplinary colleagues and/or your textbook rep. The following considerations are derived from the CVC-OEI policy on the use of proprietary materials in CVC-OEI exchange classes.

Accessibility: Don't assume that third party resources comply with MiraCosta requirements for online courses to use materials that comply with accessibility regulations. Ask for a VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template) that discloses areas where the digital resources may not be in compliance. Have SAS evaluate the software to determine if there are accessibility concerns. If it is not fully accessible, but you believe the software to be a necessity without alternatives, consult with SAS to create an Equally Effective Access Plan (proactive steps you can take to ensure that all students will have an equally effective learning environment).
Regular and Substantive Interaction: Even the most interactive, engaging, personalized software developed by a third party cannot substitute for the regular and substantive interaction between instructor and students (and among students if specified in the Course Outline of Record) required by external regulations and MiraCosta AP 4105.
Student Privacy: A third party system which is not run by MiraCosta College may enable access to educational records in violation of FERPA. Ask for a statement of how the system complies with FERPA requirements for student privacy. ITS can help evaluate compliance of third party technologies with security and privacy standards.
Title 5 Requirements for Materials Access Options:
- According to Title 5 §59400(b), students cannot be required to pay for access to electronic materials “designed primarily for administrative purposes, class management, course management or supervision.” Use Canvas as the primary location of your class, with publisher materials as a supplemental resource accessed via Canvas, rather than having students use only a third-party system which includes grading and other class management features.
- According to Title 5 §59400(c), students must have options when purchasing temporary access to instructional materials ranging from the length of the class to at least two years.
Student Authentication: If students access the third party system through a login/password provided by the third party, the class runs a higher risk of being out of compliance with the student authentication requirements of MiraCosta's AP 4105. It is far better to integrate the third party system with Canvas so that student authentication occurs via MiraCosta-provided credentials. Your system may already be integrated in MiraCosta's Canvas system. See Connecting Your Canvas Course to Various Publisher Tools to learn more.

Additionally, at MiraCosta College, the terms and conditions of all third party software, whether the college is paying for it, students pay for it, or it is free, should be reviewed by the Purchasing department.

In addition to the regulatory issues above, course design and the student experience is also a potential concern. Publisher resources should generally be a supplement to a course you design given your teaching approach, knowledge of MiraCosta students, and the desired learning outcomes -- not a wholesale substitute. Students want to connect with their teacher and classmates in a familiar environment (e.g. Canvas). Simply sending students into a publisher's system to complete a class is usually less than optimal. Free, high-quality alternative course content may be worth considering - click Next to learn more about options.

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