You are here: American University Washington College of Law Academics Academic Services Registrar Current Students Grading Exams How to Download Digital Textbook

How to Download Digital Textbook

Back to top

Accessing Digital Version of Textbook During Exam

Overview

Exams using the “Open Laptop, Downloadable Textbook” mode will block internet access during the exam but will permit students who have downloaded the textbook ahead of time to use it 

Downloading the Textbook

If you bought the textbook using Eagle Service:

Click here for the instructions

If you bought the textbook without using Eagle Service:

  • Aspen Publising: Click here for instructions
  • Carolina Academic Press:
    • Texbooks from this publisher can be accessed via Vitalsource.
    • You can access 100% of your eTextbooks without an internet connection. To access your eTextbooks offline, you will need to download the Bookshelf app onto your computer, tablet or mobile device. To download the Bookshelf App, visit the Support Site
    • Tips:

      • You will be able to download and access your eTextbook onto 2 computers AND 2 mobile devices using the Bookshelf app." Because WCL permits only one device during exams, make sure one of these downloads goes to the laptop you will use while taking exams 

      • West Academic Publishing also uses Vitalsource. Their support team has provided the information below 

  • West Academic Publishing

  1. Go to eproducts.westacademic.com 
  2. Create an account, or sign in if you have one already
  3. Click the “blue redeem code button,” and enter the code you got when you purchased the textbook (if you also own a physical textbook, this code may be located inside the physical textbook) 
  4. Click on the book from your bookshelf to access it 
  5. Click the ebook button to open another tab that takes you directly to Vitalsource 
  6. Create a Vitalsource account (this isn't required just to read the book, but it would be required to read the book offline) 
  7. Download the Vitalsource bookshelf app to your device
  8. Sign into the Vitalsource bookshelf app
  • Tip: You will be able to download and access your eTextbook onto 2 computers AND 2 mobile devices using the Bookshelf app. Because WCL permits only one device during exams, make sure one of these downloads goes to the laptop you will use while taking exams 

Confirming it Works

1) Wait until our office notifies you that appropriate version (e.g. fall midterms, fall finals, spring midterms, etc.) of Exam4 is available for download,  

2) Follow these instructions to run a practice test in "Open Laptop" mode, and  

3) Email examsWCL@wcl.american.edu if you unable to open the textbook during this simulated exam situation 

If you have questions, please email examsWCL@wcl.american.edu