Deep Linking the Bedford Collection in D2L: Instructor Guide

This guide walks you through how to add Bedford Collection content to your D2L/Brightspace course using the VitalSource deep-linking tool. Whether you’re linking to the complete subscription, an individual book, or specific chapters and sections, this process will help you select the appropriate content and add it directly to your course modules.

D2L/Brightspace Setup for Instructors

Link the Bedford Collection Subscription

The Bedford Collection subscription must be added to the course before you can create direct links to its individual books, chapters, or sections.

1. Log in to your D2L/Brightspace account.

2. Open the course where you want to add the Bedford Collection content.

3. Open the module where you want the content to appear.

   • ℹ️ If the module does not already exist, select Add a module… from the menu on the left under the table of contents, enter a name for the module, and press Enter or Return on your keyboard.

     

4. After opening or creating the module, select Existing Activities below the module name.

5. Open the Existing Activities menu to and select the VitalSource deep-linking tool, usually named “VitalSource Content Links”

   ⚠️ Note: If “VitalSource Content Links” is unavailable, or you are unsure which tool to select, contact your LMS administrator, Bookstore Manager, or the person responsible for configuring the VitalSource deep-linking tool. The tool’s name may have been customized during setup.

6. The tool will open and allow you to search for course materials.

7. Search for the Bedford Collection subscription by entering “Bedford” or the appropriate SKU provided by Macmillan or your Bookstore Manager.

8. Locate the correct Bedford Collection subscription and click Link to Subscription.

   

9. Review the selected material in the side panel and click Review & Submit.

   

10. Confirm that the correct subscription is listed, and then select Add to Course.

    

11. You will automatically return to the D2L module. Confirm that the Bedford Collection subscription link was added successfully.

    

Add Direct Links to Bedford Content

After linking the Bedford Collection subscription, you can create direct links to individual books or specific chapters and sections. Choose the option that best fits your course.

Link Directly to a Book

1. Open the D2L module where you want the book link to appear.

2. Open the Existing Activities menu and choose the VitalSource deep-linking tool, as described above.

3. Search for the appropriate book and click Link to Book.

   💡 Tip: You can add more than one book during this process.

   

4. Review your selection in the side panel and click Review & Submit.

5. Confirm that the correct titles are listed, and then click Add to Course.

   

6. You will automatically return to the D2L module. Verify that a direct link was added for each book.

Link to a Specific Page or Chapter

1. Open the D2L module where you want the content links to appear.

2. Open the Existing Activities menu and choose the VitalSource deep-linking tool, as described above.

3. Search for the appropriate book and click Link to Specific Page to open its table of contents.

   

4. Select the chapter you want to link, or click the arrow next to the chapter title to view individual pages and sections.

   💡 Tip: You can select multiple items at once. Each selection will create a separate link.

5. Click Add Materials.

   

6. Review the selected materials in the side panel and click Review & Submit.

7. Confirm that the correct chapters, pages, or sections are listed, and then click Add to Course.

    

   

8. You will automatically return to the D2L module. Verify that each chosen item was added as a separate link.

Review and Organize the Links

After creating deep links to your course materials, we strongly recommend:

1. Confirm that all links appear in the correct D2L module.

2. Rename the links if clearer titles would help students identify the content.

3. Reorder the links as needed.

4. Open each link to verify that it launches the expected Bedford Collection content.

Access Instructions for Students

To prevent account and content-access issues, instruct students to access the Bedford Collection through D2L and open the main subscription link before using any direct links to books, chapters, sections, or pages.

You can share the following steps with your students:

1. Log in to D2L/Brightspace using your student credentials and open the appropriate course.

2. Locate and open the main Bedford Collection subscription link.

3. Follow any prompts to complete your account setup.

4. After successfully opening the Bedford Collection, return to the D2L course.

5. Use the course links to access individual books, chapters, sections, or pages.

What Students Should Avoid

To prevent duplicate accounts and access issues, advise students:

• Do not begin by signing in directly through the VitalSource Bookshelf website.

• Do not create a separate Bookshelf account to access Bedford materials.

• Do not redeem an access code unless the instructor or institution has confirmed that the course uses coded delivery.

• Do not open a direct link to a book, chapter, section, or page before accessing the main Bedford Collection subscription link.

If a direct link does not open correctly, the student should return to the D2L course, open the main Bedford Collection subscription link, complete any account prompts, and then try the direct link again.

If the issue continues, the student should contact their instructor or the VitalSource Support team.

Related Articles

• Deep-linking into the Bedford Collection via your LMS

• D2L/Brightspace LTI 1.3 Tool Setup and Link Placements