Courseware is digital learning content provided by a publisher, such as Pearson MyLab, McGraw Hill Connect, Cengage MindTap, or other interactive course materials.

How you access your courseware depends on how your course and materials are set up. Your courseware may be available directly through your school’s Learning Management System (LMS), through a link provided by your instructor, or by using a publisher access code.

Find Your Courseware in Your School’s Learning Management System (LMS)

Start by signing in to the Learning Management System or student portal you normally use to access your courses.

Common LMS platforms include Canvas, Blackboard, and Brightspace/D2L.

If you are unsure which LMS your school uses, visit your school’s website or student portal and locate the area where you normally access your courses.

Canvas

Sign in to Canvas and open the appropriate course.

Look for your course materials in areas such as:

• Modules
• Course Materials
• Getting Started
• Syllabus
• Weekly assignments
• A link displaying the publisher’s name

If your course includes a Course Materials link, select it to view the materials associated with your course.

Blackboard

Sign in to Blackboard and open the appropriate course.

Depending on the version of Blackboard your school uses, look for:

• Tools
• Books and Course Tools
• VitalSource Course Materials
• Course Materials
• Syllabus
• Weekly assignments
• A link displaying the publisher’s name

In Blackboard Ultra, course materials may be available under Books and Course Tools within your course.

Brightspace/D2L

Sign in to Brightspace/D2L and open the appropriate course.

Look for Course Materials in the course navigation. Selecting it may open the Course Materials dashboard in a new browser tab.

You can also check:

• Getting Started
• Syllabus
• Content
• A Textbook section
• Weekly assignments
• A link displaying the publisher’s name

The LMS-specific directions above preserve the meaningful differences currently spread across the three separate articles.  

What Do the Courseware Options Mean?

Depending on how your course is configured, you may see different options next to your course materials.

Access Instructions

Select Access Instructions to review information about accessing the material. If an access code is required, the instructions may provide your code and the website where it should be redeemed.

Open

Select Open to launch the publisher’s courseware site.

View Details

Select View Details and review the information provided.

Some publisher-direct materials must be accessed through a specific publisher link within your LMS. If the instructions direct you back to your LMS, look within your course for the publisher’s link. 

How Do I Find My Courseware Access Code?

Courseware access codes may also be called:

• Publisher Access Codes
• 2-Step Codes
• Resource Codes
• Redemption Codes
• License Keys
• Registration Codes
• Activation Codes
• Product Keys
• eResources

These codes are used to access additional materials on a publisher’s website or courseware platform. 

If your courseware was delivered through VitalSource Bookshelf, make sure you are signed in using the email address associated with your course materials.

Find Your Access Code in VitalSource Bookshelf

1. Sign in to VitalSource Bookshelf.
2. Select My Library.
3. Locate the correct title.
4. Look for an Access Code option associated with the title.
5. Open the additional options and select Access Code Instructions.
6. Confirm that you have the correct material for your course.
7. Select Reveal Access Code.
8. Copy your access code.
9. Follow the provided instructions to access the publisher’s website and redeem your code.

The publisher’s website is where the courseware access code should be redeemed. 

Important: Before revealing an access code, confirm that you have the correct material. Some items may no longer be eligible for return after the access code has been revealed.

Find Your Access Code in Your VitalSource Account Center

You may also be able to locate your publisher access code through your VitalSource Account Center.

1. Sign in to VitalSource Bookshelf.
2. Select My Account.
3. Select the Resources link.
4. Open Access Codes.
5. Locate the appropriate courseware.
6. Copy the access code.
7. Follow the provided redemption instructions or select Launch Site when available.

Be sure to redeem the code on the publisher’s designated website. 

What if I Don’t See an Access Code?

Not all courseware requires an access code.

Some materials use codeless delivery and are accessed directly through your school’s LMS. If your access information directs you back to your LMS, look for the publisher’s courseware link within your course. 

Do I Need a Course Key?

Some publishers require a course key in addition to your access code. The course key connects your courseware to your instructor’s specific class or section.

If a course key is required, check your course information or receipt. If it is not provided there, contact your instructor. 

Still Can’t Find Your Courseware?

If you cannot locate the courseware link in your LMS, check your syllabus, Getting Started information, modules/content, and weekly assignments.

If you still cannot find the required link, contact your instructor to confirm where the courseware has been placed for your specific course.

If the courseware should be available but is missing please initiate a Messaging interaction with a human.