Setting up your Norton course in Canvas through VitalSource

Step 1: Setting up your Norton course

1.       From Canvas Modules, locate or create a module where you would like to add links. Click on the + symbol to the right of the module name.


2.     Select External Tool from the drop down menu, and then select the tool called “Vitalsource Deep Link Selector.” The name may vary, but it should have a magnifying glass icon on the right.



3.     A new window will open, and you will see the Norton text and courseware that have been paired with your course. Click Open Publisher Tool. If your course pairing is not complete, reach out to your bookstore.

4.    Log in using the email and password tied to your account. If you don’t have a Norton account yet, reach out to your Norton rep for help.

5.   Follow the steps in the wizard to create a Norton course, which is matched to your Canvas course. You’ll need to set this up just once per Canvas course.



a.    Step 1. This step confirms that you’re connected with your Canvas course.




b.    Step 2. Confirm that the course material paired to your course is correct. If this is not correct, please contact your bookstore to get it updated to the correct material before proceeding.



c.    If applicable, confirm whether your course is participating in your school’s inclusive or equitable access program. Note that this program can be called different names.



d.  Step 3. Enter some required course details.

e.    Step 4. Confirm all your course information and create the course. (Or, to correct anything, use the “Previous” button to go back and edit it.) 

Step 2: Adding deep links to course material

b.    Assignable activities like Norton Illumine Ebook, InQuizitive, Smartwork, Tutorials, etc. will be sent to Canvas as assignments in the  Canvas Assignments area, with a corresponding Gradebook column

i.    For assignments, you may set a due date, and adjust the LMS point value

2.    Click the Review & Send to LMS button at the bottom of the screen. You’ll see a summary of the links you selected. Confirm, and Send to LMS. 

3.    When complete, the modal will close, and you will see the content in your Canvas course.  You can reorganize or regroup your content in Canvas so that your course is laid out the way you want. Publish items when you want to make them available to students.  

Step 3: Relaunching deep linking tool

You don’t have to select all your links at once. You can launch this tool from your Canvas course to add additional links throughout the semester.

2.  Select External Tool from the drop down menu, and then select the tool called “VitalSource Deep Link Selector.” The name may vary, but it should have a magnifying glass icon on the right.

3.  Click Open Publisher Tool

4.  Follow the steps listed here listed above in Step 2: Adding course material deep links to Canvas

a.    Note that the tool will indicate which links you have already added to your course