Digital Course Materials FAQs

Access to required course materials from the start of the term is essential for a successful learning experience. Understanding what materials to purchase, what is included in your fee, and how to access them can help ensure a smooth and stress-free experience. Check out the frequently asked questions below to get started.

General 

• Where can I find what course material I need for my class?
  You can see the required course materials by visiting to the COCC Bookstore catalog and searching by the course title or the 5-digit course reference number (CRN). 
• Where can I find accessible versions of digital course material?
  Contact Disability Services for more information on how to get accessible versions of your required materials. 
• I am having technical difficulties. What should I do?
  For help with digital course material, you can contact the COCC eLearning department or the COCC Bookstore. For help with publisher content, check our Publishers and Technical Support page for contact details. 

Standard Purchase 

• Is there a buyback option for books? 
  The COCC Bookstore offers a buyback program for physical books through a 3rd party vendor. For more information, visit the Buyback information page on the Bookstore website. 
• Where can I find physical textbooks? 
  You can find physical and digital textbooks through the COCC Bookstore website, the COCC Library, or other online booksellers. 
• Where do I find digital content for my class that isn’t Inclusive Access?

  If you bought digital content from the COCC Bookstore, you can access it from your My Account page on the bookstore website. 

  For help with accessing or redeeming material from specific publishers or vendors, go to Bookstore website, find the “Textbooks” drop down menu and select the “How To” options for your publisher.

Inclusive Access

• What is Inclusive Access?

  Inclusive access is a purchase model where the cost of required digital course materials (like eTextbooks or courseware like Cengage MindTap or Pearson MyLab) is included within the course fee. 

  For more details, visit the Inclusive Access page.

• What does it mean to 'opt out'?

  To 'opt out' means to chose not to use the digital course materials provided through Inclusive Access and avoid the related fee. You can opt out if you have already bought the required materials on your own, are enrolled in multiple Inclusive Access classes, or are taking another class that uses the same materials or subscriptions.

  For more information on opting out, visit the Inclusive Access page. 

• How do I opt out of an Inclusive Access purchase?
  1. Click on the 'RedShelf Digital Course Materials' link inside the Canvas of your class. This will open your 'RedShelf MyShelf' page, where you will see a box for each class you are enrolled in that uses Inclusive Access materials.  
  2. Click on the box for the class you want to opt out of the digital course material purchase. You will see the course materials listed along with a button labeled “Opt Out” in the corner.
  3. Follow the steps on the screen to complete the opt-out process. 

• How do I pay for my materials?

  If you’re in an Inclusive Access class, the cost of the materials will be automatically added to your course fee for the term. If you opt out by the deadline, you won’t be charged the fee.

• I am on the waitlist for the course, will I have access to the digital course material? 

  Yes, if you’re on the waitlist for a course, you’ll still have access to the materials.

  If you don’t get into the course from the waitlist, you’ll lose access to the material and won’t be charged the Inclusive Access fee.

• Where can I find my Inclusive Access course material?

  You can find your digital course materials by clicking on the 'RedShelf Digital Course Materials' link in your Canvas course. The materials you have purchased will be listed on your 'MyShelf' screen. Some eTextbooks can be opened from your MyShelf, but other course materials might be linked in the in the course modules by your instructor. 

   

  *If you can't find the RedShelf link in your course, contact your instructor, or eLearning for help. 

• I dropped the course; do I still need to opt out? 

  No. If you drop the course by the deadline, the Inclusive Access material fee will be removed from your account and a refund will be issued.

• I accidentally opted out? What do I do? 

  If you accidentally opted out, you can still opt back in by going to the 'RedShelf Digital Course Materials' link and selecting 'Opt In' before the deadline.

  

• I have a 4-month Cengage Unlimited subscription from one term that will carry over halfway through the next term. What should I do? 

  If your subscription ends halfway through the next term, stay opted in to one course so you can pay for a new subscription to finish the course with access to your materials.

  If you plan on taking more classes that use Cengage materials, you might want to buy a 12-month Cengage Unlimited subscription. This way, you’ll have access to all Cengage materials for the full academic year. If you choose this, remember to opt out of the 4-month subscription of an Inclusive Access class to avoid being charged twice.

  You can buy a 12-month subscription through the Cengage publisher website. COCC Bookstore also offers both 4-month and 12-month Cengage Unlimited options.