Set up Access Pearson Codeless - Blackboard Ultra

Watch how to link accounts and pair courses (1:44)

  1. Prepare for Access Pearson Codeless.
  2. Pair your Blackboard course with a MyLab or Mastering course.
  3. Add assignment, course tool, or eText links.
  4. Get students started.
  5. Sync grades.

You have the Blackboard Ultra course view if you see Books & Tools in your course's left (base) navigation.

Screenshot of sample base navigation Screenshot of sample Ultra course view

Not sure which integration you're using? This topic covers the Access Pearson Codeless integration (LTI 1.3) for Barnes & Noble, Follett-Willo, RedShelf, and VitalSource. Check with your LMS administrator or the Launch Type in Diagnostics if you're unsure which integration was set up for you. The Launch Type for the Access Pearson Codeless integration is Channel partner integration LTI 1.3.

Step 1: Prepare for Access Pearson Codeless

In most cases, your LMS course is already set up for you to use Access Pearson Codeless. If needed, prepare your LMS course for the integration and go to Access Pearson Codeless via the bookstore link.

How to add Access Pearson Codeless to your LMS course: Your LMS administrator usually works with the bookstore to add Access Pearson Codeless to your LMS course. The name and location of the link to use Access Pearson Codeless depends on the course setup. The link is usually named Course Materials. If you don't see the link or the right Pearson content, contact your bookstore or LMS administrator.

Prepare your LMS course

Make sure your LMS course is ready for students.

Hide the MyLab and Mastering link

The MyLab and Mastering link for LTI 1.1 could confuse students. If it's in the LMS course navigation, hide the link from students and don't use the link to pair your LMS course with a MyLab and Mastering course. This helps prevent issues with student access and purchase.

For detailed instructions on transitioning your course from the MyLab and Mastering (LTI 1.1) integration to the Access Pearson (LTI 1.3) integration, see Transition an active course or Transition a copy of a previous course for instructions.

Access Pearson integration

Barnes & Noble, Follett-Willo, or VitalSource: If you want to set up your LMS course early or copy an LMS course with assignment, course tool, or eText links, you can add the Access Pearson (LTI 1.3) integration to your course. For instructions, select your LMS and then Access Pearson (LTI 1.3) integration. The assignment, course tool, or eText links will work in a copied or imported Access Pearson (LTI 1.3) course. They might also work for MyLab and Mastering (LTI 1.1) courses for most LMSs.

Before students access the MyLab or Mastering content, ask the bookstore to transition your LMS course to Access Pearson Codeless. That way, they'll access MyLab and Mastering through the Barnes & Noble, Follett-Willo, or VitalSource link in your LMS course instead of the old link. This prevents issues with student access and purchase. It also enables students to best understand their current opt status, see the opt deadline date, and, if supported, change the opt status.

RedShelf: For students to opt out from paying for access to MyLab and Mastering via the institution, students must select Access Pearson to pay via Pearson. To give this option to students, add the Access Pearson (LTI 1.3) integration to your course. For instructions, select your LMS and then Access Pearson (LTI 1.3) integration. After students get access via the Access Pearson link, they open MyLab and Mastering by selecting the Course Materials link to RedShelf and then Access Courseware.

How to identify your integration: Check the Launch Type in Diagnostics if you're unsure which integration you're using. The Launch Type for the Access Pearson Codeless integration is Channel partner integration LTI 1.3. The Launch Type for the Access Pearson integration is Standard integration LTI 1.3.

Go to Access Pearson Codeless via a bookstore link

From your LMS course, open the Access Pearson Codeless tool via a bookstore link. The name and location of the link depends on the course setup. The link is usually named Course Materials. For instructions, select your bookstore below.

Not sure how to find the link for Access Pearson Codeless or don't see the right Pearson content? Check the instructions below. If you still have trouble, contact your bookstore or LMS administrator.

  1. Open your LMS course.
  2. Select the Course Materials link to access Barnes & Noble. The name and location of the link depends on the course setup.
  3. Select Launch Courseware.

    Launch Courseware button

  1. Open your LMS course.
  2. Add Follett-Willo to your course. Select your LMS for instructions:

    From a content area, select Build Content and then Follett-Willo Digital Delivery 1.3.

    Build Content list

    1. From your Blackboard course, select View course & institution tools under Books & Tools.

      Screenshot of the tools link

    2. Select Browse all course tools under Can't find what you need. You might need to scroll to find the link.

      Browse all course tools link

    3. Select Follett-Willo Digital Delivery 1.3.
    1. Select the + button in a module.

      Plus button in a module

    2. From the Add list, select External Tool and then Follett-Willo Digital Delivery 1.3.

      Plus button for adding an external tool

    From a module, select Existing Activities and then Follett-Willo Digital Delivery 1.3.

    Existing Activities list

    1. Select Turn Editing On.
    2. From a topic, select + Add an Activity or Resource.

      Add an Activity or Resource link

    3. Select the External tool tile.

      External tool tile

    4. From the Preconfigured tool list, select Follett-Willo Digital Delivery 1.3. Then choose Select Content.

      Preconfigured tool list

    Check back for Sakai and Schoology.

  3. Select Continue in a new window.

    Continue in a new window button

  4. Depending on your course setup, do one of the following:
    • If you see the Course Pairing page, choose Select to use the suggested course materials and then Review Details. Otherwise, select Search Course Materials or I have a Product Token.
    • If you don't see the Course Pairing page, skip to step 8.

    Course Pairing page

  5. Look over the details for the course materials and then select Confirm Selection.

    Review Selected Course Materials page

  6. Select Course Management to add links to your LMS course.

    Course management button

  7. Select Add Product Links.

    Add Product Links button

  8. Depending on your course setup, do one of the following:
    • If you see the Add Links To My Course page, select the check boxes for the Integration Support and Pearson Course Materials links. Then select Return link(s) to LMS.
    • If you don't see the Add Links To My Course page, select Continue in a new window and go to step 10.

    Course Management page

  9. Select Close Window.

    Close window button

  10. Select Pearson Course Materials to open Pearson.

Pearson Course Materials link

  1. Open your LMS course.
  2. Select the Course Materials link to access RedShelf. The name and location of the link depends on the course setup.
  3. Select your course or View Details.
  4. Select Access Courseware.

    Access Courseware button

  1. Open your LMS course.
  2. Select the Course Materials link to access VitalSource. The name and location of the link depends on the course setup.
  3. Select Launch Courseware.

    Launch Courseware button

For additional details, see VitalSource Help.

Next, pair your courses.

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Step 2: Link accounts and pair courses

To open MyLab and Mastering from your LMS course, link your accounts once. Then pair your courses and set up assignments in your MyLab or Mastering course.

Watch how to link accounts and pair courses (1:44)

Link your accounts

If you're a section instructor or teaching assistant, see Register as a section instructor or TA.

  1. To open the Pearson Home page, select the Course Materials, Access Courseware, or Launch Courseware link. Don't see the link?
  2. If needed, agree to any authorization requests and accept cookies.
  3. Select Get Started to link your accounts.

    Screenshot of the Pearson Home page for a validated instructor

  4. Select Open Pearson.

    Screenshot of the Open Pearson button

    If the Pearson Home page isn't already open in another tab, return to your LMS course navigation. For Barnes & Noble, Follett Willo, RedShelf, or VitalSource, select the Course Materials, Access Courseware, or Launch Courseware link.

  5. Agree to any authorization requests.

  6. If prompted, enter the username and password from your existing Pearson instructor account and select Link accounts. If you don't have an account, select Create an account. You can only link one LMS account to one Pearson account.

    Link your accounts page

  7. Select Continue.

    Link accounts confirmation

    If you're asked to choose your product, select MyLab | Mastering. (For Revel, eText, or Live Response, go to Revel and Pearson eText for your LMS Help.) Your selection is permanent and can't be undone.

    Screenshot of the Choose your product options

  8. Select Get Started on the Pearson Home page.

    Screenshot of the Pearson Home page for a validated instructor

    Select Get Started and follow the prompts to enter details about your role. Wait for a confirmation email.

    Screenshot of the validation message

  9. Accept any authorization requests.

If you see a blank white page, you might need to temporarily disable the AdBlock browser extension. See your browser Help for instructions.

If you have a valid Pearson account and get the message, "Account Upgrade Needed," contact Pearson Support. Your account is active but needs a subscription to the MyLab and Mastering course.

If you get the message, "To create courses you need a MyLab and Mastering educator account," contact Pearson Support for assistance.

Screenshot of message saying you need an educator account

Next, pair your courses.

Pair your courses

Start from your LMS course to pair it with a new or copy of a MyLab or Mastering course.

Most assignment and course tool links automatically migrate to LTI 1.3. To ensure this works when pairing a new edition of a Mastering platform update course, copy your previous paired course. Go to Diagnostics for your previous course and note the course ID. When you pair the new LMS course, enter the course ID you noted under Copy an existing course.

Links to eText sections, Scheduled Reading, and Adaptive Followups in a new edition aren't included in the course copy or the link migration. You'll need to manually add these links to your LMS course.

Courses that aren't integrated with your LMS: You can't pair MyLab or Mastering courses created outside your LMS course such as from the MyLab and Mastering website. However, you can pair copies of these existing MyLab or Mastering courses.

Coordinator courses: Don't pair a coordinator course with an active course with student enrollments.

  1. To create or copy a MyLab or Mastering course, choose one of the options available to you:
    • Choose Select to use the course materials provided to you.
    • Enter a course ID to copy an existing course. For a member section in a course group, enter the course ID of the MyLab coordinator course.

      Sign in to mlm.pearson.com. Locate your existing course and note the course ID, which is your last name plus 5 digits. Ensure the course has been set to allow copies.

    Select or copy a course page

  2. To enable students to enroll in the course, select Student-use Course.

    Course Details page

  3. Enter the course name and description. Use something specific for the name like your term and class section. This helps you quickly identify the course later.

  4. Select the course dates.
    • Students who try to register before the start date get a course2 error.
    • Students can no longer open the Pearson course on the course end date (Eastern Time, US). Set a date after the last re-take opportunity for the final exam.
  5. Select whether to allow other instructors to copy your course using your course ID. You can change this setting later.

    Screenshot of the Instructors can copy this course check box under Allow copy

  6. Select Create course. You'll see a confirmation message.
  7. Wait for email confirmation your course is created. This might take up to 3 hours.
  8. Close the browser tab, and return to your LMS course.

Next, set up assignments.

Set up assignments

  1. To open the Pearson Home page, select the Course Materials, Access Courseware, or Launch Courseware link. Don't see the link?
  2. Select Open Pearson.
  3. Select Open MyLab & Mastering.

    Screenshot of the Open MyLab & Mastering button

  4. Make sure assignments are set up in your MyLab or Mastering course. Assign due dates in your Mastering course. Manage due dates only from your MyLab or Mastering course, not your LMS course.

    To successfully sync grades and open assignments, make sure assignment names are fewer than 128 characters. Avoid UTF-8 or these characters \ / " * < > + = | , % ! &

    Using the Mastering platform update? Learn about differences in how assignments are handled.

  5. Return to your LMS course.

Next, pair your courses.

Open MyLab and Mastering or Access Pearson tools. Add links, including any assignment or course tool links to your course. Select Submit.

Add MyLab & Mastering links

Choose the folder containing the links, and then select Submit.

Pearson Confirmation Page

Repeat these steps anytime to update links.

Next, add assignment or tool links or get students started.

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Step 3: Add assignment, course tool, or eText links

Optionally, you can add links that students use to open MyLab or Mastering assignments, course tools, such as Grades, or eText (also called eTextbook) from your Blackboard course. Learn how assignment, course tool, or eText links function.

Prerequisites: First pair your MyLab or Mastering and Blackboard courses and set up assignments in your MyLab or Mastering course.

In most cases, assignment links will automatically be available in the copied LMS course after pairing. You'll have the option to see a status or list of links. Instructor course tool links aren't supported by the Access Pearson integration and aren't copied. You need to manually delete any instructor course tool links from your course. See Transition your course for details.

Copying links message

Watch how to add assignment links

  1. From your Blackboard course, select View course & institution tools under Books & Tools.

    Screenshot of the tools link

  2. Select Browse all course tools under Can't find what you need. You might need to scroll to find the link.

    Browse all course tools link

  3. Select Pearson Links or the name your admin chose under Institution tools.

    Screenshot of the Pearson Links icon

  4. From the Add links from list, choose whether to see assignments, course tools, or eText. Then scroll to see all the links or search for a specific link. Choose a column heading to sort.

    Screenshot of the Add links page

  5. Select one or more links and repeat for any option in Add links from.

    Select a Chapter to see its associated links.

    Sample eText links

  6. Select Add links at the bottom of the page.

    You'll see the new links under Course Content. Select a link and then Open Pearson to open the link in a new browser tab or window.

    Screenshot of a sample content area

Next, get students started.

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Step 4: Get students started

After you pair your LMS course with a MyLab or Mastering course, it’s simple for your students to open MyLab and Mastering. They need to link their LMS and Pearson accounts. They might be prompted for a username and password or to create an account. Depending on the course setup, we might automatically create a new account for them if it's their first time opening a Pearson product from your LMS. The username is the institution email address. We recommend students create the optional password to use the account to access other Pearson products, including mobile apps. Students can create the password later on from Forgot username or password or by selecting the link in their account confirmation email.

Depending on the course setup, students might need to purchase access. Options include pre-purchased access code or credit card. If available, they can also use Apple Pay or PayPal. Temporary access without payment for a limited time is an option for some courses but isn't supported for Access Pearson Codeless integrations.

Barnes & Noble, Follett Willo, RedShelf, or VitalSource: If a student is incorrectly prompted to purchase access, remove the Pearson integration settings.

RedShelf: To opt in to getting access to MyLab and Mastering through the RedShelf bookstore, students select the Course Materials link for RedShelf and then Access Courseware. To opt out and get access through Pearson, students select Access Pearson. Afterward, they must open MyLab and Mastering by selecting the Course Materials link to RedShelf and then Access Courseware.

RedShelf opt note

For the second half of a multi-semester course, students might be prompted to link their LMS and Pearson accounts the first time they access the MyLab or Mastering course. Students must use the same Pearson username and password as the first part of the course. Otherwise, they might be prompted for payment again.

You don't need to give students course IDs or invite links. Communicate your course activity expectations and grade weighting with students. Let them know what's required for your course, including purchase options. Also, like instructors, students can download diagnostics to provide to Pearson support.

To access the student view of the MyLab or Mastering course as an instructor, remove the LMS Student View filter, and then select a student assignment, course tool, or eText link. If you select the Access Pearson link from the Student View, you’ll get error code SOCKET_LS_T_03.

Student resources

Share registration instructions and other resources with your students early, so they can immediately engage with course materials. We suggest copying and pasting these URLs into an email to students before classes start or your syllabus. Another option is to add these URLs as web links in a getting started section of your Blackboard course. See Blackboard Help for how to add links.

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Step 5: Sync grades

Sync grades one-way from your MyLab or Mastering course to your Blackboard course. Learn how grade sync works.

Calendar: You need to sync grades to see assignment due dates in the Blackboard calendar.

Watch how to sync grades (1:01)

Prepare for grade sync in your MyLab or Mastering course

  1. Access the Pearson Home page and select Open Pearson.
  2. Select Open MyLab & Mastering.
  3. In your MyLab and Mastering course, turn on any grade settings and create assignments that meet the guidelines below. If needed, set availability/due dates and choose grade sync settings.

    Guidelines: To avoid problems opening MyLab and Mastering courses and syncing grades, make sure names, including course and assignment names, and settings don't have UTF-8 and these special characters: \ / " * < > + = | , % ! &

    Depending on your MyLab and Mastering platform, there are different ways to prepare for grade sync.

    See Mastering Help for grade sync considerations.

    Using the Mastering platform update? Learn about differences in how assignments and grade settings are handled.

    See MyLab Help for how to set up grade sync from your MyLab course and choose how to sync scores.

    See MyLab Help for how to set up grade sync from your MyLab course and choose how to sync scores.

Next, return to your LMS course to set up grade sync.

Set up grade sync from your Blackboard course

Prerequisite: To avoid problems opening your MyLab or Mastering course and syncing grades, make sure names and settings in your LMS course don't have UTF-8 and these special characters: \ / " * < > + = | , % ! &

  1. Access the Pearson Home page and select Open Pearson.
  2. Select Grade Sync.

    Screenshot of grade sync settings

  3. To automatically sync grades as they become available, select On for Automatic Grade Sync. This doesn't sync past grades. (If Off is selected, MyLab and Mastering grades only sync to your LMS when you select Sync Grades Now.)

    Screenshot of the Automatic Grade Sync option

    Regardless of whether automatic grade sync is turned on, use Sync Grades Now anytime to manually sync all existing grades, including grades available before you turned auto sync on.

    Sync Grades Now button

  4. Make selections in the Items to Sync list. You might need to wait up to 15 minutes after you set up grade sync to see these items.

    Screenshot of the Items to Sync list

  5. Select Sync Grades Now to create links for any assignments and to initially populate the LMS gradebook.

    Sync Grades Now button

See also: Get diagnostics

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Updated 27 Aug 2024