MyMaterials FAQs

These frequently asked questions below contain valuable information with regard to the MyMaterials program with Cengage Learning, McGraw Hill Publishing, and Norton Publishing.

What is MyMaterials?

MyMaterials provides you with digital resources, such as an eText - a digital version of a physical textbook and access to publisher resources. It can include workbooks, problem sets, tutorials, video, simulations and interactive software. Digital textbooks have many features that allow you to interact with your course content like never before.

Standard features include highlighting, annotation, search functions and multimedia links. All MyMaterials are loaded and easy to access through our Blackboard Learning Management System.

What are the benefits of using MyMaterials?

To enhance your learning experience and provide affordable access to the right course material, your course may be part of an inclusive access model called MyMaterials. You can easily access the required materials for this course at a discounted price and benefit from single sign-on access with no codes required in Blackboard.

JCC will bill you at the discounted price as a course charge for this course. For example, a new, printed version of the MAT 280 bundle (Book plus online lab) costs approximately $342.00 when purchased through the bookstore. Through the MyMaterials initiative, you spend $100 for the digital bundle. That's almost a 70% savings!

It is not recommended that you opt-out, as access to these materials is important to help students be successful in the course. You can choose to opt-out before the course census date, but you will be responsible for purchasing your course materials at the full retail price.

Where and when do I pay for MyMaterials?

When you pay for courses that have MyMaterials resources, the cost is added to the tuition & fees. It's automatically billed. You do not have to do anything extra to get your course materials! You will be ready to go with the required materials starting on the first day of class! The tuition, fees and MyMaterials charge must be paid at the same time. While there is an opt-out policy, you cannot request that until after the class has started (see below for additional information). You will see the etext charge on your bill or receipt. The etext charge must be paid each time a student registers for a class requiring MyMaterials, including when a class is repeated.

How do I access MyMaterials?

When you log into your Blackboard course, everything you need is loaded and ready to use. Make sure that your pop-up blocker is disabled within your browser. You may also add the resources to the approved or allowed list within your pop-up blocker application. Complete instructions for accessing your MyMaterials resources will be reviewed on the first day of class.

Which courses use MyMaterials? View the current list of MyMaterials courses.

What if I want a physical copy of the textbook?

Most publishers give students the option of ordering a very affordable loose leaf copy of the book. The loose leaf copy can be shipped directly to your home. Generally, the loose leaf copy and the cost of the digital textbook are less expensive than the physical book. Of course, with most eTexts, you can also print the pages you need.

Is there help available for me so I can get used to MyMaterials resources?

Yes, help is always available! Each faculty member has been trained to help you with the MyMaterials component and will provide you with extensive instructions on how to access and use these resources. There will be an eText Resource & Course Resources link in Blackboard with other resources to help you maximize your MyMaterials experience! The publishers will also provide additional support through their websites and call center:

Cengage Support website and a toll-free number to call for help: 1-800-842-3636.

McGraw Hill Support website and a toll-free number to call for help: 1-800-331-5094

Norton Publishing Support website

Which Internet browsers work the best with Blackboard and the eText?

For Blackboard Learn, Anthology supports Google Chrome™, Mozilla® Firefox®, Apple® Safari®, and Microsoft® Edge® desktop and mobile browsers. All these browsers apply updates automatically for most users. Anthology makes every effort to support the most recent version upon release. For these supported browsers, these are the supported versions:

• Google Chrome™, most recent stable version and two preceding versions.
• Mozilla® Firefox®, most recent stable version and two preceding versions.
• Apple® Safari® for MacOS and iOS, two most recent major versions.
• Microsoft® Edge®1 most recent stable version and two preceding versions

Run the browser checker to see whether Blackboard Learn supports your browser.

Blackboard Learn does not require any specific browser plug-ins, although added content may require plug-ins to view. To learn more about Blackboard's general browser support policy as well as information about Javascript, Cookies, and other software, see the Browser Support Policy.

Recent updates to several browsers have included changes to how the browser handles third-party cookies. These changes may affect tools from other providers that integrate with Blackboard Learn. If you have trouble accessing an integrated tool after a browser upgrade, edit your browser’s settings to allow sites to save and read cookie data. You can find instructions for  Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge online.

What happens if I drop a class?

In the case of a MyMaterials course you will have to pay for the materials fee again when you re-register.

Is there an opt-out for MyMaterials courses?

Yes, you can opt-out. Again, it is not recommended. Students must inform their instructor of their intent to opt-out AND complete the eText Opt-Out form. When processed, the student is eligible for a 100% refund of the MyMaterials cost. If a student misses the deadline for any reason, the student will not be granted a refund. The VP of Instruction may grant an extension for late enrollment due to special circumstances exclusively caused by JCC.

When can I get my refund?

The Business Office will process all refunds by your chosen refund method. Please go to Refund Selection.com to choose your preferred refund method. All refunds will be processed within 6-8 weeks.