Blackboard publisher integrations for VitalSource, Cengage, Pearson, and Macmillan will be updated to the latest version on December 19, 2024. To ensure your courses receive the latest update and function properly when using these third party tools, instructors should not link to any VitalSource, Cengage, Pearson, or Macmillan resources in Winter 2025 or Spring 2025 courses until December 20th. 

Preparing for the Update

Instructors using these publisher integrations in Fall 2024 courses should access grades from the publisher prior to December 19th. Grades will remain available by accessing your instructor account on the publisher site directly after this date. Please see details for each integration below.

VitalSource

VitalSource links will be updated dynamically in Blackboard courses. Following the update, access VitalSource using the MyTextbooks & Course Materials link in the “Start Here” module. 

Image 1. The Start Here module in Blackboard courses includes a “My Textbooks & Course Resources” link to VitalSource.

Cengage

Existing Cengage links in your Fall 2024 courses will be migrated automatically to the updated integration on December 19th. However, we recommend accessing grades from Cengage prior to the update. Following the update, new Cengage links may be added to Winter and Spring 2025 courses via the Content Market beginning December 20th. Access WebAssign and MindTap instructor resources for more details. Note: Cengage will no longer appear at the top of the Content Market page, but will appear alphabetically in the list of Content Market tools.

Macmillan

If you are currently using Macmillan course materials in your Fall 2024 courses, we recommend accessing grades from Macmillan prior to the update. However, if needed, you will be able to relink your active Blackboard courses to Achieve using the updated LTI 1.3 steps and import any previously completed work to the BB gradebook. Following the update, please use the Macmillan link in the Content Market to add Macmillan content to your upcoming courses. Note: Macmillan will no longer appear at the top of the Content Market page, but will appear alphabetically in the list of Content Market tools.

Pearson

If you are currently using Pearson course materials in your Fall 2024 courses, we recommend accessing grades from Pearson prior to the update. Pearson links created prior to December 20th will be deactivated following the update. However, if needed, instructors will be able to access grades from Pearson by logging into their instructor Pearson account directly. Following the December update, you may add Pearson links to Winter and Spring 2025 courses by accessing the Blackboard Ultra Books & Tools menu. Pearson resources review how to configure your Blackboard course. 

Course Materials Support

Publisher support is available directly from Cengage, Macmillan, and Pearson. If you have questions related to the publisher integration updates, please submit an RT request for concerns related to Blackboard. Please contact Jocelyn Ochoa-Garcia (textbook@umbc.edu) in the UMBC Bookstore for CMI-related questions. 

Connect with Instructional Technology

• Check our extensive FAQ collection 
• What's new in Ultra? | Known Issues 
• Open a ticket via RT
• Follow the Instructional Technology & DoIT myUMBC groups
• Request a consult with instructional technology staff
• PIVOT | Academic Continuity | Keep On Teaching | Student Technology Resources

Instructors have many options available when they select course materials each term. As you select materials for the upcoming term, will you participate in the Course Materials Initiative (CMI), incorporate technology tools, or adopt Open Educational Resources (OER)? 

Course Materials Initiative

The Course Materials Initiative (CMI) provides access to digital course materials through Blackboard. The digital course materials include ebooks and courseware such as WebAssign, MindTap and ALEKS, if applicable, from publishers under contract with UMBC. The course materials are integrated into Blackboard via VitalSource (the common digital platform) for all participating courses and sections. A course materials charge is included on the student bill when they have registered for a participating course or, for some courses, after the CMI Status Change Deadline. Students can elect not to participate in CMI and obtain their own access to materials.

For more information about the Course Materials Initiative program, please contact Jocelyn Ochoa-Garcia (ochoa1@umbc.edu) at the UMBC Bookstore.

Technology Tools

Blackboard supports a variety of third-party tools through Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI) integrations. These integrations support single-sign on between third-party content or services and improve instructor/student efficiency by streamlining usage or synchronizing grades. In addition to publisher tools, instructors may incorporate content using CourseArc, Google, Library Reserves, Microsoft, Panopto, Poll Everywhere, and VoiceThread. 

Occasionally, instructors may have an interest in integrating a new technology in their Blackboard courses. New integrations must be reviewed through a formal Procurement process to ensure the tool meets standards for security, privacy, data retention, and accessibility, even if the technology does not have any associated financial cost. As a reminder, students should only access technologies via SSO or LTI integrations in Blackboard to remain in compliance with UMBC cloud computing requirements. 

Request support with technology tools:

• How do I request a new tool or integration for Blackboard?

• Consult with Instructional Technology

Open Educational Resources (OER)

Open Educational Resources are teaching, learning, and research materials in any medium (digital or otherwise) that are released under an open license that permits no-cost or low-cost access, use, adaptation, or redistribution (UNESCO, 2002). OER can include textbooks, syllabi, supplementary materials, quizzes, assessment rubrics, homework, or labs. 

Explore how you can adopt OERs for your course:

• Follow the Open Educational Resources group on myUMBC 

• Explore the M.O.S.T. OER Commons

• Check out the OER research guide

Contact OER co-chairs Erin Durham (edurham@umbc.edu) or Susan Biro (sbiro@umbc.edu) for more information on OER at UMBC.

Reminders

Course material adoptions for Summer/Fall are due the third Friday in March. Summer and fall textbook adoptions should be submitted by April 24th to permit compliance with USM Board of Regents policy. For inquiries related to course materials, contact textbook@umbc.edu.

Connect with Instructional Technology

• Check our extensive FAQ collection 
• What's new in Ultra? | Known Issues 
• Open a ticket via RT
• Follow the Instructional Technology & DoIT myUMBC groups
• Request a consult with instructional technology staff
• PIVOT | Academic Continuity | Keep On Teaching | Student Technology Resources