Engage - Engage Overview

This document summarizes and outlines the differences between the tools included within the Engage platform.

Select this link to list all Engage documents from the Learn@UW-Madison Knowledgebase at the bottom of this page.

Unizin Engage Logo

What is Unizin Engage?

Engage began as a pilot in spring 2018 as part of the Educational Innovation (EI) Initiative. It was led, in partnership, by the Associated Students of Madison (ASM), the Office of the Provost, the Office of the Registrar, and DoIT Academic Technology (AT). It primarily utilizes the Engage platform via integration with Canvas and aims to reduce the costs of course materials for students while advancing the student learning experience.

eTexts and other digital course materials are becoming more and more available to students for a fraction of the cost of printed materials. In switching to Engage, savings are typically between 40%-80% per textbook and 25% for publisher Digital Learning Tools (DLTs). For more information on the Engage platform, please see the Academic Technology's Engage page.

How do I know if my course is using Engage materials?

If your course is using an Engage eText or publisher digital learning tool (DLT), it will be included under the course's listing on Course Search & Enroll. You can access that tool from MyUW.

Alternatively, you can log into the Order Tool, select My Account from the menu bar, and choose Courses. Select the academic term for which you wish to review your course materials. You’ll see all your courses for the selected term, including if digital materials were adopted by your instructor. The Order Tool will always display whether you are, at that moment, slated to receive the digital course material or have received it already. More information can be found here.

Comparing Engage and publisher Digital Learning Tools (DLTs)

Instructors can choose to use one of the following options in their course:

  1. Use the Engage tool to deliver an eText to your students.

    or:

  2. Use a publisher Digital Learning Tool (DLT) to deliver an eText and lab or homework software to your students.

    The eText and DLT are delivered by the respective publisher’s eText reader (notEngage) and website, and integrate with Canvas. Example DLTs include:
    • Pearson: MyLab, Mastering, and Revel
    • Cengage: MindTap, and WebAssign
    • Macmillan: LaunchPad, and Sapling Plus
    • McGraw-Hill: Connect, and ALEKS

It is possible to use both but this is not as common. Differences between each model are outlined in the table below.

 

Unizin Engage

A picture of the Unizin Engage logo - a purple circle with a red, yellow, blue, and cyan circle inside with the worlds "Unizin Engage" next to it.

Publisher Digital Learning Tool (DLT)

A picture of multiple publisher logos including Cengage WebAssign and MindTap, Macmillan Sapling Learning and LaunchPad, McGraw-Hill Connect and ALEKS, and Pearson Revel, MyLab, and Mastering
Tools  Engage, an eText reader, powered by RedShelf 1. Publisher (Pearson, Cengage, Macmillan or McGraw-Hill) eText reader
2. Publisher DLT:
Pearson: MyLab; Mastering; REVEL
Cengage: MindTap; Webassign
Macmillan: Launchpad, and Sapling Plus
McGraw-Hill: Connect, and ALEKS
Support

Provided by the DoIT Help Desk. If they are unable to resolve your issue, they will escalate it to the appropriate consultants.

Find more details on how to use Engage.

Accessibility information can be found here: Engage Accessibility & Usability Information.

 Provided directly by the publisher.

See the KB document on publisher DLT support.
Printing Students can print for free (not including the cost of printing). A Unizin-branded watermark will appear on the printed pages. Students are generally not allowed to print eTexts from publisher eText readers.
Loose-leaf Copies Loose-leaf copies of certain eTexts are available for purchase at the UW Bookstore. Check the UW Bookstore’s website to see which texts are available. Loose-leaf copies are only available to students who have not opted-out. Loose-leaf copies of certain eTexts are available for purchase at the UW Bookstore. Check the UW Bookstore’s website to see which texts are available. Loose-leaf copies are only available to students who have not opted-out.

DLTs are only available online, via the respective publisher's website.
Length of Access Entire student career at UW-Madison. Varies based on the course and DLT.
Library Reserves Printed copies of all eTexts are available in campus library reserves. See the UW-Madison Libraries website. Printed copies of all eTexts are available in campus library reserves. See the UW-Madison Libraries website.

DLTs are only available online, via the respective publisher's website.

Ordering Process

Instructors and course coordinators will be able to place their orders for eTexts or DLTs in the Order Tool using Engage's ordering process. However, orders can only be completed during open ordering periods. For more information on Engage's ordering process, please review the following document: Engage - Order Tool Overview.

Opt-out Process

Students can opt-out of digital materials if they choose. It is recommended that students first speak to their instructors before opting out to ensure that they can fully participate in their courses. If students need accommodations, they can contact the McBurney Disability Resource Center.

Opt-out information, including instructions for opting out, can be found here.

See Also: