Digital Inclusive Access (DIA) is a program designed to ensure all students have seamless and affordable access to essential course materials. With this program, your required textbook(s) are made available electronically through VitalSource and are accessible from Canvas.
Key Features of the eTextbook Program
- First-Day Access: Your e-textbook(s) will be accessible via the eTextbooks link in the left-hand navigation menu in Canvas starting from the first day of class. No need to wait or worry about shipping delays.
- Cost Savings: By participating in this program, you benefit from a discounted rate, often significantly lower than the cost of a new, printed textbook.
- Interactive Learning Tools: VitalSource eTextbooks come with a variety of features to support your learning, including:
- Advanced search capabilities for quickly finding key concepts.
- A read-aloud function to enhance accessibility and allow for auditory learning.
- Bookmarks, highlighting, and note-taking to customize and organize your study materials.
- The ability to create flashcards directly from the content for easy review.
Opting Out of eTextbooks
Students are automatically enrolled in the eTextbooks DIA program to ensure uninterrupted access to materials. However, if you prefer to obtain the textbook through alternative means, you have the option to opt out.
- How to Opt Out: Visit the eTextbooks link in the course navigation menu and click on Opt Out.
- Deadline: You must opt out within the first 14 days of the course. If you do not opt out by this deadline, the cost of the eTextbook will be charged to your student account.
If you have additional questions or require assistance, please reach out to your instructor or the USD Torero Store.
The DIA program ensures that students have immediate access to their required course materials at a cost-effective price. This includes textbooks, courseware, or other essential resources that you would usually find at the bookstore. These materials are delivered electronically to guarantee that you have access right from the first day of class. The eBooks available through this program can be accessed throughout the course duration and even allow you to print sections of the textbooks as required (note: the license duration and printing options vary depending on the book and publisher).
To access your eTextbook, you will find the designated link within your Canvas course. Having a Vital Source account before accessing the eTextbook is unnecessary. If you're accessing the eTextbook for the first time, you will be prompted to create a Vital Source account. This eTextbook will be fully available through the 'eTextbook' link in your course's left-hand menu. Remember, you can opt out of purchasing the eTextbook by the last day of the course drop period if you prefer other methods of accessing the book.
The payment for the book will be facilitated through your USD student account, managed by the USD Torero Store, after the end of the course drop period. This charge can be covered by your financial aid package or out-of-pocket, similar to your tuition payments. This method guarantees you the lowest price available for the eTextbook, providing you with prolonged access that can extend past the course end date if you choose to purchase extended access.
In case you decide not to opt out by the course drop period, the charge will stand on your account, irrespective of the usage of the electronic textbook. Unfortunately, the charge cannot be removed from your student account if you opted out after the course drop period.
To opt-out:
1) Click on the eTextbook link on the left-hand menu in your Canvas course.
2) From within the VitalSource page, in the square with that book’s Item Info, click the ‘Opt-Out’ button.
While the inclusive access eBook is recommended to fulfill course objectives, you have the liberty to purchase the book in any format you prefer or from any other retailer. Please ensure to opt out by the end of the course drop period if you choose not to use the inclusive access option.
To purchase a non-electronic version, utilize the ISBN to search for the book at our bookstore or other preferred vendors. Always verify the edition numbers before making a purchase.
Absolutely. Once you've established a Vital Source account and acquired the book, you can access it in various ways - through the Canvas course, via Vitalsource Bookshelf.com, or through the Vital Source app on iOS, Android, Kindle, and other mobile platforms. Visit the VitalSource Support page for more details on downloading Bookshelf and syncing your electronic textbook across devices.
If you have queries about textbook requirements or billing, please contact the Torero Bookstore at help@usdtorerostore.com.
For specific payment or billing inquiries, please reach out to the Torero Hub at torerohub@sandiego.edu or (619) 260-2700.
For technical support with the VitalSource eBook, contact VitalSource directly through their Customer Service page at https://support.vitalsource.com/.