Access Digital Materials

Cognella course materials that can be accessed digitally include Cognella ebooks, the first 30% of a Cognella textbook you’ve ordered in print format, and Cognella Active Learning activities.

All course materials must be purchased before you can access them digitally. For ordering instructions, visit our Purchase page.

To Access Cognella eBooks

After you complete your order, you will be prompted to view your digital materials (whether a partial or a full ebook) in the section of our online store called My Digital Materials. Ebooks can be viewed on Windows PC, Mac, iOS, and Android devices.

If your ebook is listed under Fulfilled by VitalSource or Fulfilled by RedShelf, simply click on the link and follow the prompts.

If you’ve additional questions, please request support here:

Contact VitalSource directly: https://support.vitalsource.com/hc/en-us/requests/new
Contact RedShelf directly: https://solve.redshelf.com/hc/en-us/requests/new

To Access the First 30% of a Print Textbook

If you’ve ordered a print textbook from Cognella and you need to get started on readings or assignments before your book arrives, for most purchases Cognella provides you with digital access to a partial ebook that usually covers about the first 30% of the book. You can find the partial ebook by logging into your account and clicking on My Digital Materials.

If your link is under the heading “Ebooks,” the partial ebook will load in your browser window as a web preview or as a PDF file. Most web browsers will display the PDF directly, though some will download the file to your computer Downloads folder. PDF viewers such as Adobe Reader or Apple Preview should open the partial ebook PDF file. If you’d like to verify that Adobe Reader is installed on your computer or device, go to Adobe’s website: http://get.adobe.com/reader/.

To Access Cognella Active Learning

If you purchased an access code for Cognella Digital Learning from your bookstore, go to store.cognella.com/codes/redeem to redeem your access code.

Next, determine if your Cognella Active Learning environment is Hosted or Integrated. The easiest way to do this is to search your order confirmation email from Cognella for the word Hosted or Integrated. The type of environment your professor selected will determine how you’re able to access your course content.

For Hosted Cognella Active Learning

When you enrolled in your course and purchased your Cognella Active Learning materials, Cognella sent you an Active Learning invitation email. This message includes the email address you’ll use to log in, as well as a Get Started button you can click to initiate the login process. If you can’t find the course invitation email in your inbox, check your Spam and Junk folders.

When you click the Get Started button, you’ll be redirected to a page dedicated to your course. Click the green Accept button at the top of the page. You’ll be directed to create a Cognella Active Learning student account, which is distinct and separate from your Cognella Student Store account or any other account you have with your school.

To finalize your registration, create a password, enter your time zone, agree to the Cognella Active Learning terms, and click Register.

Once you’ve completed your registration, go to https://active.cognella.com to access your course materials.

If you have questions regarding Hosted Cognella Active Learning, check out our Frequently Asked Questions page.

For Integrated Cognella Active Learning

The Cognella Active Learning activities for your course have been integrated directly into your school’s learning management system (Blackboard, Canvas, or Moodle). Find your course in your school’s learning management system and look for the Cognella Active Learning links. If you can’t easily find the materials, ask your professor how the course has been organized.

If you have questions regarding Integrated Cognella Active Learning, check out our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Digital Materials FAQs

What are digital materials?

Digital course materials are ebooks that can be read on your Windows PC, Mac, or mobile device. They are convenient because they are portable, easy to bring to class, and immediately available after your purchase. They are also priced lower than print materials. Due to digital distribution restrictions and copyright protections, Cognella digital materials expire 180 days after purchase. When you purchase course materials in our online store, you'll have the opportunity to choose between print or digital format. If you order your course materials in digital format, you'll receive immediate access to a full digital download. If you order your course materials in print format, you'll receive immediate access to a partial digital download. The partial digital download typically includes 30% of the title, allowing you to begin reading while your print materials are shipped to you. Add-ons allows you to easily bundle digital materials with a print copy or vice versa - getting the benefits of both print and digital at the best value. IMPORTANT: A minority of Cognella titles do not offer the digital format option due to restrictions on digital distribution from third-party vendors. When you select your course materials from the store, you'll see the format options available for your specific course materials. If you have questions, please contact us at orders@cognella.com or 858-800-2675.

How can I access and view my digital course materials?

After you complete your order, you will be prompted to view your digital materials (whether a partial digital download or a full digital download) in the section of our online store called My Digital Materials. If your ebook is listed under Fulfilled by VitalSource or Fulfilled by RedShelf, simply click on the link and follow the prompts.

What is a partial digital download, and how can I access and view it?

When you purchase the print format of a Cognella textbook, we provide you with partial digital access of up to 30% of the materials so you can read and study while print materials are shipped to you. The partial digital content can be accessed in the My Digital Materials section of your store account and can be viewed in any PDF software such as your browser, Adobe Reader, Apple Preview, etc. Adobe Reader is a free application to view PDF files. You can download and install the application here: https://get.adobe.com/reader/.

Do my digital materials expire after 180 days, or is it just the download link that expires?

If you chose to purchase a 180-day access ebook, both the link from the My Digital Materials section of your store account and the digital materials will expire 180 days after purchase. If you would like to access your book for more than 180-days, you can upgrade to perpetual access before the ebook expires. Simply click the link that says Upgrade to Perpetual next to the ebook in the My Digital Materials section of your account.

Why do I only have access to the digital materials for 180 days?

We are required by many of our publisher partners and third-party rightsholders to limit the amount of time materials are available digitally in order to protect the copyright of the materials.

VitalSource

On which devices can I read an ebook?

You can read your ebook on any computer, tablet, or mobile phone that is connected to the Internet. Our ebooks are compatible with both Macs and PCs as well as iOS, Android, Kindle Fire, and Chromebook devices.

Can I access my ebook on more than one device?

Yes. You can read online from any computer that is connected to the internet. You will be able to download and access your ebook on two computers and two mobile devices.

Can I print my ebook?

Most ebooks have limited printing and allow only a few pages to be printed at a time. The printed pages will be watermarked with your email address.

Do I have to be connected to the internet to read my ebook?

You can access your ebook without an internet connection.

If your ebook is fulfilled through VitalSource, then you will need to download the Bookshelf app onto your computer, tablet, or mobile device. For more information about the Bookshelf app, visit: https://support.vitalsource.com/hc/en-us/categories/360001056774
If your ebook is fulfilled through RedShelf, you can create an offline session on the sidebar menu. For more information about offline reading with RedShelf, visit: https://solve.redshelf.com/hc/en-us/articles/115003794953-Offline-Access

Are ebooks reflowable?

No. Most of our ebooks originated as pdf files, which maintains the look and feel of a bound book. The text is fixed and the screen size determines the size of the text.

Can I highlight, take notes, etc?

Yes. Both RedShelf and VitalSource offer a wide range of features, including but not limited to: notes, highlights, text-to-speech, and more.

For more about VitalSource features, visit: https://support.vitalsource.com/hc/en-us/articles/360020561994-Bookshelf-Overview
For more information about RedShelf features, visit: https://solve.redshelf.com/hc/en-us/categories/115000384354-Student-Customer-Support

Have additional questions?

Contact VitalSource directly: https://support.vitalsource.com/hc/en-us/requests/new
Contact RedShelf directly: https://solve.redshelf.com/hc/en-us/requests/new

Hosted Cognella Active Learning FAQs

Where do I go to access Hosted Cognella Active Learning materials?

If you've enrolled in or been invited to a course, you will receive an email invitation containing the email address to use for your login. Click the Get Started button in the email (or copy and paste the URL into your web browser) to accept the course invitation. Note: Make sure to check your Spam or Junk folder if the invitation is not in your inbox.
When you are redirected to the page for your course, press the green Accept button at the top of the page. You will then be directed to create an account. This account is separate from your Cognella Student Store account and any university account you may have.
To finalize your registration, enter a password, enter your time zone, check the box to agree to the terms of use, and press the Register button.
Once you have completed your registration, go to https://active.cognella.com to log in. (You may want to bookmark this login page for easy access!)

What should I do if I haven’t received my online course email invitation?

Double-check the inbox associated with the email address you used to purchase your learning materials in the Cognella Student Store. Also, check your Spam or Junk email folders.
If you can't locate the email invitation, forward your order confirmation email to orders@cognella.com. Please provide your first and last name, email address, school, course name, section number, and order number, along with a brief explanation of the issue. You can also reach a customer service team member at 858-800-2675.

I’m having trouble viewing or navigating to the material in my Hosted Cognella Active Learning course.

If you can log into your account but certain features are missing--for example, flashcards are showing blank images--the problem may be with your browser. Also if you try to navigate through the course but are redirected to the dashboard, it’s most likely a browser issue. First, try using a different browser. Chrome, Firefox, or Safari (for Mac) are preferred. If that doesn’t work, follow the instructions below for clearing the cache and removing any pop-up blockers.

Chrome for PC

Chrome for Mac

Firefox for PC

Firefox for Mac

Safari for Mac

Chrome for PC

To clear Cache:
- In the Chrome browser toolbar, click the Chrome menu
- Click the More Tools
- Click the Clear browsing data
- Use the drop-down menu to select the time range you want to clear browsing data.
- Clear browsing data by selecting checkboxes. Select the Cookies and other site and plug-in data and Cached images and files
- Click the Clear Browsing Data
To remove pop up blocker:
- At the top right, click the icon you see: Menu or More.
- Click Settings.
- At the bottom, click Show advanced settings.
- Under "Privacy," click Content settings.
- Under "Pop-ups," select an option:
- Do not allow any site to show pop-ups (recommended)
- Allow all sites to show pop-ups
To learn more Chrome, visit Google Support.

Chrome for Mac

To clear cache
- On the browser toolbar, click the Chrome menu icon.
- Select the More Tools
- Select the Clear browsing data
- In the data drop-down menu, select the time range where you want to clear browsing data.
- Select the Cookies and other site and plug-in data and Cached images and files
- Click the Clear Browsing Data
To remove popup blocker:
- Open Chrome
- Open Chrome Menu
- Select Preferences
- Select Under the Hood
- Content settings
- Select Allow all sites to show pop-ups
- Close all boxes
To learn more Chrome, visit Google Support.

Firefox for PC

To clear Cache:
- In the Firefox menu bar, click the Open menu
- Select the Options
- Select the Advanced icon, then select the Network
- Under the Cached Web Content heading, click the Clear Now
To disable popup blocker:
- Open the "Mozilla Firefox" Browser.
- Click on the drop down menu on the top left corner of the Firefox browser, and select "Options."
- The "Options" window will open.
- Click on the "Content" tab.
- Check the "Block pop-up windows".
- Click the "ok" button.
- Pop-Up Windows is now blocked in Mozilla Firefox Browser.
To learn more about Firefox, visit Firefox Support.

Firefox for Mac

To clear cache:
- In the Firefox menu bar, click the Firefox option.
- Select the Preferences link.
- Click the Privacy tab.
- Under the History heading, click the clear your recent history link.
- Select the Cache checkbox.
- Click the Clear Now button.
To disable popup blocker:
- Open Firefox.
- Click the Firefox menu in the upper right.
- Click Preferences in the drop-down menu.
- In the left-hand navigation, click Content.
- Under Pop-ups, uncheck Block pop-up windows.
To learn more about Firefox, visit Firefox Support.

Safari for Mac

To clear cache:
- In the Safari menu bar, click the Safari option.
- Click the Clear History link.
- In the Clear drop-down menu, select the time range where you want to clear browsing data.
- Click the Clear History button.
To disable popup blocker:
- Open Safari.
- In the top left of the window, click Safari.
- Click Preferences in the drop-down menu.
- Click the Security tab found on the top row.
- Under Web content, uncheck Block pop-up windows.
To learn more about Safari, visit Apple Support.

How do I use the Hosted Cognella Active Learning software or manage my user account?

The Hosted Cognella Active Learning platform is based on the Canvas learning management system. The Canvas student user guides are an excellent resource for learning how to perform tasks within the system, such as how to check your grades, submit an assignment, or update your time zone or profile settings. Cognella Active Learning has made a few customizations to the software, so if something in the Canvas guides is not working as you expected please contact our customer service team at orders@cognella.com.

I need additional help regarding a Hosted Cognella Active Learning course.

There are several ways to get help:

Email the Cognella Active Learning help desk at orders@cognella.com. Please provide your name, school, course name, and section number so we can better assist you.
Call a customer service team member at 858-800-2675.

Integrated Cognella Active Learning FAQs

Where do I go to access Integrated Cognella Active Learning materials?

With Integrated Cognella Active Learning, your course activities have been integrated directly into your school’s learning management system (Blackboard, Canvas, or Moodle). Navigate to your course in your school's learning management system and look for Cognella Active Learning links. If you can’t find the materials, contact your professor directly to ask how the course has been organized and how you can access your online course material.

Why do I need to use my school email address if I’m ordering Cognella Active Learning?

Cognella Active Learning activities are integrated directly into your school’s learning management system. In order to facilitate the link between the two systems, we need to use the email address that is also used by your school’s learning management system.

What if I ordered Cognella Active Learning and didn’t use my school email address?

If you didn't use your school email address, your Cognella Active Learning materials won't be able to sync up with your school's learning management system, and you won’t be able to access the activities when you log in. Please contact our customer service team so we can update your account by emailing orders@cognella.com or calling 858-800-2675.

What if I ordered Cognella Active Learning access for the wrong section?

Please contact us at orders@cognella.com or 858-800-2675, so we can adjust your Cognella Active Learning enrollment. Please provide your order number or access code, along with the course name and number, the section number, and your professor’s name.

Cognella Academic Publishing

Cognella Custom

Cognella Active Learning