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Engage - Benefits of Using Engage [UW-Madison]

This document outlines some of the benefits of Engage eTexts.
  • Purchased directly from the publisher, eliminating third-party distributors and bookstores, and the associated retail markups:
    • Priced significantly lower due to Unizin’s ability to negotiate volume discounts directly with publishers
    • Easy for instructors to search for and order titles, and to request new editions or titles
    • No outdated editions, or used or partial books
    • No comparison shopping or trip to the bookstore is required - just enroll in class
  • Possibilities for new and creative approaches to teaching and learning:
    • Exact same text from the same authors and publishers – including charts, graphs, pictures, etc. - can be annotated by students and instructors (see below for accessibility concerns with these features)
    • Additional Digital Learning Tools (DLTs) from publishers are integrated into the Canvas course page
    • Instructors can request OER content through the Order Tool to be delivered into the eReader
  • Access through Canvas – no need for multiple apps or logins:
    • A single, easy-to-use reading platform, Engage is available for stand-alone texts, regardless of publisher or product
    • eText/DLT available to students on or before the first day of class
    • No restrictions for international students
  • Cost-effective and convenient for students:
    • Costs can be covered by all forms of financial aid because the appropriate Engage fees are added to students' Bursar bills when they enroll
    • Can be downloaded for offline reading and printed
      • When printing, students can save the file as a PDF 
      • A watermark will appear on printed or saved pages
  • Environmentally friendly
  • Support is available from UW-Madison. For support questions, please contact the DoIT Help Desk:
    • Phone: 608-264-4357
    • Chat: link
    • E-mail: help@doit.wisc.edu
      • If Help Desk staff are unable to resolve your issue, they will escalate your issue to the appropriate consultants. Instructors using Engage will also be given access to a Canvas course which will include additional helpful information.
      • If you are using publisher Digital Learning Tools (DLTs) like Pearson Mastering Physics and MyLab or Cengage MindTap, support is provided directly from the publisher. More information on where to get DLT support is available in this KB doc next to the publisher name under "Who Provides Support".
  • More information is also available on the DoIT's Engage webpage.

An important accessibility note:

The University of Wisconsin-Madison supports the right of all enrolled students to a full and equal educational opportunity. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Wisconsin State Statute (36.12), and UW-Madison policy (UW-855) require the university to provide reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities to access and participate in its academic programs and educational services.

If you use an Engage eText, students with disabilities might need an accessible eText through the McBurney Center as an accommodation.

It’s important to note that we are unable to create a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, for the collaboration features in Engage, specifically sharing notes with the class from within the eText. Since we cannot provide a reasonable accommodation and in turn give students the same educational opportunities, note sharing should not be used.

Additionally, keyboard-only users are unable to select text in the eText, which prevents them from using the flashcards, study guide, copy text, and citations features of Engage. These features may be used by students, since an accommodation is possible, but should not be a requirement of the course.

Faculty and students share responsibility in the accommodation process. Students are expected to inform faculty of their need for accommodations during the beginning of the semester, or as soon as possible after being approved for accommodations. Faculty will work either directly with the student or in coordination with the McBurney Center to provide reasonable instructional and course-related accommodations. Disability information, including accommodations, are part of a student’s educational record and are thus protected under FERPA and should be kept confidential.

For more information about specific barriers, please see the Engage Accessibility & Usability Information KnowledgeBase document.