Teaching & Learning — myTech@Newark

Course Materials

Help students access the materials they need before class begins. Use this page to adopt textbooks, explore OER and library-supported materials, build Canvas reading lists, and make sure course content is accessible and affordable.

Find the Right Action Compare Options →Get Support

OER

Open Educational Resources with no student cost

Leganto

Course reading lists linked directly in Canvas

Ally

Accessibility scoring built into every Canvas course

I Want To…

Start with the task you need to complete, then jump to the right tool, partner, or support path.

Adopt a textbook

Submit required textbooks and publisher materials through the adoption process.

Start adoption →

Use First Day

Use discounted digital materials delivered through Canvas when available.

Review First Day →

Find OER

Search open educational resources by subject, format, and course level.

Find OER →

Build a reading list

Create and publish a Leganto reading list linked directly to Canvas.

Build in Leganto →

Add materials to Canvas

Organize readings, videos, publisher tools, and resources in course modules.

Set up Canvas →

Check accessibility

Use Ally and Canvas tools to fix access issues before students begin.

Accessibility guide →

Get help

Connect with ATS, the library, or bookstore support for the right next step.

Get support →

Choose Your Course Materials Approach

Use commercial materials, library-supported materials, OER, or a purposeful blend of all three.

Approach 1

Adopt Publisher or Bookstore Materials

Use textbooks, digital learning platforms, publisher course packs, First Day materials, or other commercial resources available through the Rutgers bookstore or direct publisher access.

Submit required textbooks and publisher materials by the adoption deadline
Use publisher digital platforms such as WileyPLUS, Cengage, Pearson, or McGraw Hill
Confirm any Canvas courseware integration before students need access
Use First Day / Inclusive Access when discounted digital delivery is available
Tell students exactly where and how to access required materials

Wiley

Cengage

Pearson

McGraw Hill

Review Adoption Options →

Approach 2

Use Library, OER, or No-Cost Materials

Use open textbooks, library e-reserves, licensed articles, databases, videos, and other materials students can access at no additional cost through Leganto and Canvas.

Find OER using OpenStax, OER Commons, LibreTexts, and discipline-specific repositories
Build a Leganto reading list with library-licensed books, articles, and media
Publish reading lists directly in Canvas
Use library e-reserves for chapters, articles, and other course readings
Verify licensing and access before sharing materials with students

OpenStax

OER Commons

LibreTexts

Explore Library & OER Resources →

Textbook Adoption + First Day

Submit required materials early and confirm Canvas access.

Textbook adoptions, publisher platforms, and First Day / Inclusive Access materials often require coordination before the semester begins. Faculty should confirm adoption details, check student access instructions, and enable any required Canvas course navigation link before students need the materials.

First Day Portal →Set Up Canvas Access →

★ New

Course Accessibility in Canvas

Ensure all course materials are accessible to every student. Use Blackboard Ally and Canvas accessibility tools to identify and fix accessibility issues before your course begins.

Check accessibility scores with Blackboard Ally
Fix inaccessible PDFs and scanned documents
Add alt text to images in Canvas
Use the Canvas Accessibility Checker on pages

Improve Course Accessibility →

Featured Tools

Blackboard Ally

Scores course files and generates accessible alternative formats for students, including PDFs, Word documents, HTML, audio, and more.

Canvas Accessibility Checker

Built-in tool to identify and fix accessibility issues in Canvas pages and course content before publishing.

Course Materials Throughout the Semester

Use this lighter checklist to keep materials available, organized, and accessible from planning through course wrap-up.

Step 1

Before Semester Build your foundation

Select textbooks, OER, library materials, or publisher tools
Submit textbook adoptions by the deadline
Build Canvas modules or a Leganto reading list
Check accessibility before publishing

Step 2

First Weeks of Class Help students access materials

Confirm students can access required materials
Publish Canvas modules and reading lists
Announce where students should begin
Resolve access issues early

Step 3

During the Semester Adapt and respond

Add supplemental resources as needed
Update readings based on class progress
Communicate material changes clearly in Canvas
Replace inaccessible materials with better alternatives

Step 4

End of Semester Review and refine

Note what worked and what to improve
Review student access and affordability issues
Update reading lists and Canvas materials for next term
Explore OER alternatives for paid materials

Ways to Build Your Course Materials

Mix and match approaches to support your students and your course goals.

Use Only Free Open Materials

Replace all paid materials with free, openly licensed resources from OpenStax, LibreTexts, OER Commons, or other discipline-specific collections.

Combine OER and Library Resources

Combine open textbooks with library e-reserves, licensed articles, streaming media, and e-books for a no-cost course.

Mix Paid and Free Materials

Use a low-cost publisher text alongside free OER or library resources to balance cost, coverage, and course goals.

Use Library Reserves for Readings

Build your reading list through Leganto using library-licensed books, articles, chapters, and media.

Use Publisher Courseware

Use a publisher platform for integrated readings, homework, quizzes, and gradebook sync in Canvas.

Create Your Own Course Materials

Develop original notes, videos, practice activities, and Canvas pages to reduce or replace commercial materials.

Support & Resources

Course materials support is shared across several campus and university partners. Use the guide below to find the right starting point.

Rutgers University Libraries

For OER, e-reserves, Leganto reading lists, licensed articles, e-books, databases, and copyright-aware sharing.

Dana Library: (973) 353-5901

Bookstore & Adoption

For textbook adoption, bookstore listings, publisher materials, First Day / Inclusive Access, and student purchase options.

Use the Rutgers textbook adoption process

ATS / myTech@Newark

For Canvas setup, publisher tool integrations, Ally/accessibility workflows, modules, links, and course materials delivery.

atshelp@newark.rutgers.edu

Workshops & Training

For hands-on help building reading lists, finding OER, organizing Canvas modules, and improving course accessibility.