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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the CoursePackets.net/AcademicPub Custom Course Materials System
General Information What is CoursePackets.net/AcademicPub?Is there a cost for the intructor to use CoursePackets.net/AcademicPub? How are custom books created? How do I decide what goes into my custom books? What content types can be included? Does CoursePackets.net/AcademicPub have a content library or pre-cleared materials? Can faculty use readings other than the ones in your Library? Do you have a listing of the publishers' content in your library? Can faculty add their own materials to a custom book? What is the quality of the print book? We already work with some digital aggregators and clearinghouses. Why should we want to work with you? Copyrights and Copyright Fees What copyright services does CoursePackets.net/AcademicPub provide?What information do I need to provide to request copyright permission? How long does CoursePackets.net/AcademicPub's royalty processing take? What are my options if my selected content cannot be cleared by Copyright Clearance Center? How long does manual clearance support take? Are you able to clear photographic images? How do I learn how much it costs for the student? Distribution Once my materials have been turned in, what happens next?How do I provide the custom book to my students? Do you offer digital or print copies? Or both? What is the turnaround time for CoursePackets.net/AcademicPub custom books? Do you offer branded cover options? For the school? For the course? Who do faculty and administrators contact at CoursePackets.net/AcademicPub to create custom books? If I use the same materials next semester do I have to do the same thing again? When I update existing course materials will it automatically appear in my old (existing) books? What if I miss the semester deadline? May I still order my materials? Why do I need permission if I wrote the material I am requesting? If I received permission for a title last semester, won't I receive permission when I order that title again? How do my students purchase CoursePackets.net/AcademicPub custom books? How long does it take to receive email notification of the eBook? Tech Topics Do you offer iPad or eReader formats?Is there a limit to eBook file size? What if I want to post something online for my students? What is Digital Rights Management (DRM)? How does CoursePackets.net/AcademicPub enforce DRM? Are your custom books interactive? What is a flipbook preview? Is the flipbook image indicative of print quality?  General Information Q: What is CoursePackets.net/AcademicPub?A: CoursePackets.net/AcademicPub is a service for higher education that allows faculty and administrators to create custom course materials from a variety of sources and present the assembled content in print or digital formats. Q: Is there a cost for the intructor to use CoursePackets.net/AcademicPub?A: There is never a cost for the instructor to use the CoursePackets.net/AcademicPub system. And, in the vast majority of cases, students will save money by purchasing a CoursePackets.net/AcademicPub course packet compared to a comparable textbook. Q: How are custom books created?A: Quite simply, an educator logs on to AcademicPub and selects and/or uploads the course content with which he would like to teach. AcademicPub creates the custom book in real-time, allowing faculty to view their assembled course materials immediately. Q: How do I decide what goes into my custom books?A: This decision is based on your syllabus and specific teaching requirements. Q: What content types can be included?A: A wide variety of content can be digitally uploaded into the CoursePackets.net/AcademicPub system.
Q: Does CoursePackets.net/AcademicPub have a content library or pre-cleared materials?A: Yes, CoursePackets.net/AcademicPub has a Library of copyright cleared materials that are discoverable in numerous ways. We work with an ever-expanding group of publishing partners. To see the latest list of content providers, click here. Q: Can faculty use readings other than the ones in your Library?A: Yes, CoursePackets.net/AcademicPub can import any Word or Open Office Documents or PDF's that you wish to upload. We advise you to insure that you have copyright approval for use of this uploaded content from the publisher. Q: Do you have a listing of the publishers' content in your library?A: Yes, to see a full list of content providers to the CoursePackets.net/AcademicPub Library, click here. Q: Can faculty add their own materials to a custom book?A: Yes, you may upload your own materials into CoursePackets.net/AcademicPub and make these available to your students. CoursePackets.net/AcademicPub also enables you to charge a royalty for your own materials, if you wish and are legally able to do so please check your state and institution laws and policies. Royalty payments are made on a quarterly basis after the month in which the sale was made. Q: What is the quality of the print book?A: CoursePackets.net/AcademicPub custom textbooks are professionally printed, spiral, perfect bound or comb bound softcover editions with heavy, coated stock, full color covers. Q: We already work with some digital aggregators and clearinghouses. Why should we want to work with you?A: CoursePackets.net/AcademicPub can provide content in digital or print formats on fast turnaround for your courses at attractive prices and through a variety of distribution means. Also, we provide you with the ability to add both your own content and content from the Web to your custom course materials. The CoursePackets.net/AcademicPub recommendation engine will suggest content to you that has been selected by your peers or suggested by the Library content providers. Copyrights and Royalties Q: What copyright services does AcademicPub provide?A: For Content on the Web, CoursePackets.net/AcademicPub dynamically clears the content in real-time by checking the database at Copyright Clearance Center (CCC) to obtain permissions. If your college already has an institution-wide agreement with CCC, or has already cleared the content that you are using, please check the box that says you do not need copyright clearance from AcademicPub. As well, CoursePackets.net/AcademicPub has its own Library of cleared content that can be used in your custom course materials. For more information on copyright, please click here. Q: What information do I need to provide to request copyright permission?A: The CoursePackets.net/AcademicPub system has a pop-up dialog box that asks you the information needed. Q: How long does CoursePackets.net/AcademicPub's copyright cleatrance processing take?A: CoursePackets.net/AcademicPub clears content in real-time so this step is completed while you are building your custom content. If AcademicPub is not able to clear your content through CCC, the service will tell you this. Q: What are my options if my selected content cannot be cleared by Copyright Clearance Center?A: There are three options available:
Q: How long does manual clearance support take?A: This can vary depending upon the copyright holder or publisher. Q: Are you able to clear photographic images?A: Yes, we are able to manually clear photograhic images. Contact CoursePackets.net directly for assistance in obtaining clearance. Q: How do I learn how much it costs for the student?A: The CoursePackets.net/AcademicPub system provides a running price, showing you the cost of the custom book as it is being built to your specifications. Immediately upon completion, you will see the final student price. Distribution Q: Once my materials have been turned in, what happens next?A: Materials are not turned in, in the traditional sense, to CoursePackets.net/AcademicPub since our service operates in real-time and you are able to select content and upload your own materials. You or an admin in your department build the custom materials on the spot, adding content as you go. You see a running price as items are added. Once your book is complete to your specifications, you indicate that you are done; you are then presented with a review file that is paginated, formatted, and contains a table of contents. Q: How do I provide the custom book to my students?A: Printed materials can be sold through your school bookstore or directly from the eCommerce website. Digital materials can be purchased directly through a unique URL that will be sent to you for dissemination to your students once the product page has been created. Q: Do you offer digital or print copies? Or both?A: We provide the option of print or digital books. As an instructor, you will know best, and be able to choose the option that most suits your students. Q: What is the turnaround time for CoursePackets.net/AcademicPub custom books?A: If you have chosen the eBook option for your students, you will receive a link for the ebook's order page a few days after the book has been finalized. If you have chosen the print book option to be sold at your bookstore, we will send copies to your bookstore, usually within a week to ten days, depending on the promptness with which we receive a purchase order form the bookstore manager. If you have chosen the print book option to be sold directly from our website, you will receive a link for the book's order page a few days after the book has been finalized. Q: Do you offer branded cover options? For the school? For the course?A: Yes, you can create a cover for your custom materials by uploading your school logo, name, etc. Q: Who do faculty and administrators contact at AcademicPub to create custom books?A: You register and log onto our web site to establish an account to create a custom book. Of course, you may speak with an CoursePackets.net/AcademicPub customer service representative for more information. Q: If I use the same materials next semester do I have to do the same thing again?A: You simply access your account and make required modifications to your existing custom book. Q: When I update existing course materials will it automatically appear in my old (existing) books?A: No, you issue a new link for new books for upcoming courses. It is impossible to update an already printed book or an already downloaded PDF. Of course, you may create a new book at any time with updated materials. Q: What if I miss the semester deadline? May I still order my materials?A: CoursePackets.net/AcademicPub does not maintain semester deadlines so you can build your custom book as you need course materials. Remember to allow enough time for printing if your students will be offered print copies. Q: Why do I need permission if I wrote the material I am requesting?A: It's possible that your college is the copyright holder for your materials even though you authored them; please check the policies of your school. Q: If I received permission for a title last semester, won't I receive permission when I order that title again?A: Yes, you should, but a publisher's agreement with a copyright holder may change; therefore, permissions must be cleared each Term. Q: How do my students purchase CoursePackets.net/AcademicPub custom books?A: A variety of options are available to purchase digital and print copies. Students may purchase directly from CoursePackets.net/AcademicPub or through their bookstore. Institutional arrangements are available as well. Q: How long does it take to receive email notification of the eBook?A: Typically it takes a 24-48 hours, depending on the size of the file. Tech Topics Q: Do you offer iPad or eReader formats?A: CoursePackets.net/AcademicPub's digital output is compatible with an array of popular devices including the Sony E-reader, iPad, Nook and Android-based devices. Q: Is there a limit to eBook file size?A: No, but your students must have enough available memory on their devices. Q: What if I want to post something online for my students?A: You can post the link to your custom book anywhere you like. Q: What is Digital Rights Management (DRM)?A: DRM protects copyright holders and assures that permissions have been granted for use of specific content. Q: How does CoursePackets.net/AcademicPub enforce DRM?A: We make use of Adobe Content Server 4 - more info is available here. Q: Are your custom books interactive?A: Yes, you can embed links to videos, web, and other interactive content in the digital book - a new window opens on the web, allowing users to access this content. Q: What is a flipbook preview?A: This gives you as the creator the opportunity to review a digital draft of your book before creating the final file. Q: Is the flipbook image indicative of print quality?A: No, this is a low-resolution draft version to confirm your chosen items and TOC. |