Skip to Main Content

Academic staff: Kortext info for academic staff

Welcome to Kortext

How to use Kortext eTextbooks

Watch this 'Getting started' video to explore Kortext ebook functionality or go to a section of your choice:

  • General navigation - 0:14
  • Reference export - 0:46
  • Navigation toolbar, notes and bookmarks - 1:17
  • Printing pages - 2:34
  • Accessibility - 2:52
  • Tests, videos and resources - 3:37
  • Kortext bookshelf - 4:17
  • Exporting references (Endnote and Refworks) - 4:39
  • Groups and sharing - 5:05

How to use the Kortext App

Watch this video to learn more about the Kortext app or go straight to a section of your choice:

  • Book download - 0:08
  • Navigation toolbar search and contents panes - 0:35
  • Bookmarks, notes and highlighting - 1:07
  • Read aloud - 2:36
  • Share annotation - 2:50
  • References - 3:00
  • Accessibility - 3:31
  • Tests, videos and resources 3:51
  • Additional features (IOS) - 4:40
  • Kortext bookshelf 5:21

How to access Kortext eTextbooks

You can access Kortext eTextbooks in a number of ways:

  • via module reading lists where Kortext eTextbooks have been added 
  • via Library Search
  • via the Kortext APP

Logging in to a Kortext eTextbook for the first time

  • Click on the Kortext eTextbook link
  • Select Sign in through your Institution (see image below)
  • Select Aston University
  • Select that you have read the terms and conditions
A picture of the Kortext login screen for a first time user. It says choose your institution from the list. A screen shot of the Kortext terms and conditions screen

 

Once you have logged in for the "first" time, future login screens will show as follows:

 

The Kortext platform hosts two formats; EPUB and PDF

  1. An EPUB was created with the mobile reader in mind meaning text can be reflowed to respond to the size of the device you’re reading it on.
  2. A PDF is designed to display pages consistently regardless of device.

EPUB versions of the eTextbook will have more of the study tool features available.

You can highlight a section of text within the book and

 

  1. Select from a variety of colours
  2. Add a personal study note 
  3. Copy text in to another source -please note there is a limit of 10% of the book
  4. Copy text with reference - please note the reference is Surname, First name.  Title of Book
  5. Copy link - please note the link will provide access to the book via Aston University authentication.  To add to a module reading list please use Library Search and the TALIS Bookmark extension
  6. Study Tools
    1. Create Citation - this will provide an in text citation and full reference in the format of choice.
    2. Flashcards - you can create your own personal revision question and answers.
  7. Read Aloud - you can choose from a female or male voice and select the speed of speech
  8. Export Reference - this will export the reference details in to reference management software.  For example; EndNote.
  9. Translate in to over 150 languages.
  10. Search the web - the tool will look for similar text via the web.

 

  

  

 Aston University in collaboration with Kortext are running a pilot access to Kortext Study+ until 31st August 2025.  The additional study tools are AI powered and are in addition to the standard Kortext platform.  The intent is to gain feedback around the usefulness in supporting student learning.

It is important to note that  some publishers are not allowing the use of AI as part of the partnership with Kortext so not all textbooks will have the full set of learning tools available.  If the book does not have access to Study+ the text at the bottom of the book will read

Use of Generative AI technology is currently not supported for this book.

Tools include:

  1. Select text and Study+ can summarise in to a concise outline for you.
  2. Select text and Study+ will generate a study note for you in short bullet points.
  3. Select text or a page and Study+ will generate interactive questions to check understanding - please note that the same Q&A are generated for that piece of text each time.  The Q&As are generated for staff and students.

Workbooks

Your annotations can be saved in a Workbook.  A workbook will show annotations from across your textbooks so you can review study notes by theme rather than just by book.

My Files

You can add your own files to the workbook area with up to 5GB of cloud storage space.