Course Hero vs MindTap

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Our analysts compared Course Hero vs MindTap based on data from our 400+ point analysis of LMS Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Course Hero Software Tool

Product Basics

Course Hero is an educational technology platform that offers a comprehensive suite of tools designed to assist students and educators in managing academic tasks. The software excels in providing a vast repository of study resources, including course-specific documents, practice problems, and step-by-step explanations. It is particularly well-suited for college students seeking supplemental learning materials and educators looking to enhance their teaching resources. The platform's key benefits include access to a wide array of study guides, textbook solutions, and the ability to connect with tutors for personalized help. Popular features include the extensive library of user-uploaded documents, flashcards, and the ability to ask questions and receive answers from subject experts. Compared to similar products, Course Hero is praised for its user-friendly interface and the breadth of its resource library. Pricing details are variable, often based on subscription models that can be monthly or annually. For precise pricing tailored to individual needs, users are encouraged to contact SelectHub for a detailed quote.
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MindTap is an online learning software owned by Cengage that provides educational content and some class management. Among its assets are coursework, textbooks and print with over 1,300 options. The subjects it covers span across business, economics, humanities, math, professional disciplines, science, social science and technology. Some of its educational modules include grading, testing, homework submissions and a mobile app. Instructors can inform students of due dates and encourage underperforming class members.
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$9.99 Monthly
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Tailored to your specific needs
$160 Annually
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Tailored to your specific needs
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Product Assistance

Documentation
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Documentation
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Email
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FAQ
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Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
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24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

  • Enhanced Learning Support: Course Hero provides access to a vast library of study resources, including textbook solutions and expert Q&A, which can help students understand complex topics more effectively.
  • Time Management: By offering step-by-step solutions and explanations, Course Hero helps students save time on homework and study sessions, allowing them to focus on other academic or personal commitments.
  • Improved Academic Performance: With detailed explanations and practice problems, students can reinforce their understanding of course material, leading to better grades and a deeper grasp of the subject matter.
  • 24/7 Accessibility: Course Hero's online platform is available around the clock, enabling students to study and seek help whenever they need it, regardless of time zone or schedule constraints.
  • Peer Collaboration: The platform encourages collaboration by allowing students to share notes and resources, fostering a community of learners who can support each other’s academic journeys.
  • Expert Assistance: Students can get help from subject matter experts who provide detailed answers to specific questions, ensuring they receive accurate and reliable information.
  • Resource Variety: Course Hero offers a diverse range of study materials, including practice quizzes, flashcards, and lecture notes, catering to different learning styles and preferences.
  • Confidence Building: By providing clear and thorough explanations, Course Hero helps students build confidence in their knowledge and problem-solving abilities, which can reduce anxiety and improve overall academic performance.
  • Cost-Effective Learning: With a subscription, students gain access to a wealth of resources that can supplement their textbooks and classroom instruction, often at a lower cost than hiring a tutor.
  • Preparation for Exams: The platform’s extensive collection of practice questions and study guides can help students prepare more effectively for exams, leading to better outcomes and reduced stress.
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  • More Confident Students: Give learners more tools to succeed by increasing core competencies. Personalize materials and deliver feedback to reach people by highlighting text and annotations. Increase completion rates and security through smartphone accessibility and the ability to identify at-risk pupils.
  • Saves Time: Access information in one unified location. Automate grading processes to save the time of tediously entering grades. Integrate with other tools to ensure all needs are met without needing to hunt down individual applications.
  • High-Quality Content: Find and share interactive textbooks or create a resource library for employees so workers and students can peruse information at their leisure. Create a shareable, professional-looking collection of assets.
  • Greater Engagement: Increase students’ motivation to learn and boost engagement through improved coursework. Establish clear communication lines between trainer and trainee. Use StudyHub to follow notes, bookmarks and selected text. Students can also create study guides.
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  • Document Library: Access to over 40 million study resources, including course-specific notes, study guides, and practice problems.
  • Tutoring Services: On-demand help from subject matter experts available 24/7 for personalized assistance.
  • Textbook Solutions: Step-by-step solutions for thousands of textbooks, aiding in understanding complex problems.
  • Course-Specific Content: Resources tailored to specific courses and universities, ensuring relevance and applicability.
  • Study Groups: Virtual study groups that allow students to collaborate and share resources in real-time.
  • Flashcards: Customizable flashcards for efficient memorization and review of key concepts.
  • Practice Problems: Interactive practice problems with detailed explanations to reinforce learning.
  • Scholarship Opportunities: Access to various scholarships to support students financially.
  • Document Uploads: Ability for users to upload their own study materials, contributing to the community and earning unlocks.
  • Mobile App: A user-friendly mobile application for studying on-the-go, available on both iOS and Android.
  • Verified Educators: Contributions from verified educators, ensuring high-quality and reliable content.
  • Search Functionality: Advanced search tools to quickly find relevant documents and resources.
  • Course Recommendations: Personalized course recommendations based on user activity and preferences.
  • Community Q&A: A platform for students to ask and answer questions, fostering a collaborative learning environment.
  • Resource Ratings: User ratings and reviews for documents, helping to identify the most useful resources.
  • Privacy Controls: Robust privacy settings to protect user information and control document visibility.
  • Subscription Plans: Various subscription options to suit different needs, including monthly and annual plans.
  • Academic Integrity: Tools and guidelines to promote academic honesty and prevent plagiarism.
  • Customer Support: Responsive customer support to assist with any issues or questions users may have.
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  • Course Management: Instructors can grade and curate content, facilitate online discussions and walk students through sample assignments. Provide quizzes, assessments and interactive homework. Let learners see current and upcoming homework as well as individual progress. Clone courses easily to repeat units for different classes, adding information, copying and changing dates.
  • Learning Path: Create a path by selecting material to customize a course. Add or delete material when needed and move activities around for personalized experiences. Encourage pupils to track progress and reach out to trainers.
  • Mobile App and eReader: Give employees and students access to an ebook that works on or off the internet through the smartphone app. Use interactive elements to keep people engaged. Take attendance with geolocation and polls to ensure learners are present. Provide other tools like online flashcards, practice quizzes and alerts for homework and due dates. Make annotations and notes in the online textbook. Embed videos into the reader, share highlighted notes and emphasize key text to demonstrate what’s important in testing. Give students access to a text speaker that reads aloud.
  • Suggested Content: Customize information for specific students to increase engagement with education guides. Suggest videos and assignments that reinforce learning, offered by class or by chapter.
  • Integrations: Connect with more full-service LMSs like Blackboard, Brightspace, Canvas, Moodle or other solutions. Integrate with other Cengage platforms such as SAM, WebAssign and Cengage Unlimited. Use the same login to access material. Some major products auto-sync grades, so instructors don’t have to duplicate work. Communicate with various programs with IMS Basic LTI standards and additional functionality for more common products.
  • Reporting: Dig deep and understand where students are failing or succeeding with real-time analytics that measure 12 different metrics and deliver actionable insights.
  • Subjects: Let learners consume content, software and textbooks that cover a variety of topics like agriculture, anthropology, art, astronomy, biology, college skills, communications, counseling, early childhood education, film, history, humanities, human services, mass communication, music, philosophy, political science, psychology, religion, social sciences, theatre, world languages and more.
  • Aplia: Connect concepts to real-world situations. Elevate critical thinking with feedback, algorithmic questions, review problems and other elements.
  • Pathbrite Portfolio: Showcases learner work through videos, images, documents and other assets. Give a visual representation of accomplishments and skills.
  • Cengage Unlimited: Work with several Cengage learning solutions aimed at specific subjects, including:
    • CengageNOWv2: Study for accounting, business statistics and taxation. Complete assignments, study for exams and succeed academically. Give workers and students practice opportunities to help them master content.
    • OWLv2: Save time with coursework in chemistry classes. Help finish assignments, study for exams and give learners other tools to help with success.
    • SAM: Cover Microsoft Office and computer concepts. Practice and apply skills to prepare for the Microsoft Office environment. Auto-grade assignments and use flexible reporting to report the outcomes.
    • WebAssign: Study STEM technology. Acquired in 2016, it has former educators on its development support teams to ensure the pedagogy of the experience.
    • Discontinued Programs: The iLrn, eSAM and iLrn Advance products aren’t for sale for students and can’t be accessed as of December 31st, 2020.
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Product Ranking

#36

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LMS Software

#39

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LMS Software

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User Sentiment Summary

Fair User Sentiment 14 reviews
Excellent User Sentiment 13 reviews
66%
of users recommend this product

Course Hero has a 'fair' User Satisfaction Rating of 66% when considering 14 user reviews from 2 recognized software review sites.

92%
of users recommend this product

MindTap has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 92% when considering 13 user reviews from 1 recognized software review sites.

3.29 (7)
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3.3 (7)
n/a
n/a
4.6 (13)

Awards

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MindTap stands above the rest by achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating as a User Favorite.

User Favorite Award

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Extensive Library: Course Hero offers a vast collection of study materials, including notes, study guides, and practice problems, aiding students in their studies and homework.
Resource Variety: The platform provides access to a diverse range of academic resources, covering various subjects and courses, which can be beneficial for students seeking supplementary learning materials.
Time-Saving: Course Hero allows users to quickly find and access specific resources, saving time and effort in searching for study materials.
Peer Connection: Course Hero provides a platform for students to connect and collaborate with peers, fostering a sense of community and shared learning.
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Improved Student Engagement: MindTap offers a variety of interactive activities and assessments that can help to keep students engaged with the material. This is in contrast to traditional textbooks, which can be passive and unengaging.
Personalized Learning: MindTap can be customized to meet the individual needs of each student. This means that students can focus on the areas where they need the most help, and they can learn at their own pace.
Accessibility: MindTap is accessible from any device with an internet connection. This makes it easy for students to access their course materials from anywhere, at any time.
Data and Analytics: MindTap provides instructors with data and analytics that can help them to track student progress and identify areas where students are struggling. This information can be used to improve instruction and better support student learning.
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Content Quality Concerns: Course Hero's reliance on user-uploaded content creates inconsistency in quality, with some materials potentially inaccurate or incomplete, impacting reliability for business users.
Subpar Customer Service: Reviews highlight slow response times and unhelpful interactions with Course Hero's customer support, a significant drawback for businesses requiring timely assistance.
Subscription Costs: While Course Hero offers various subscription plans, the fees can be prohibitive for businesses, especially when considering potential limitations in content quality and customer support.
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Cost: Students have expressed concerns about the additional cost associated with purchasing access to MindTap, especially when required course materials are already expensive. This can create a financial burden for students, particularly those on a tight budget.
Technical Issues: Users have reported encountering technical problems with MindTap, such as glitches, errors, and compatibility issues with certain devices or browsers. These issues can disrupt the learning process and cause frustration for students who rely on the platform to access course materials and complete assignments.
Learning Curve: Some students have found MindTap's interface to be complex and not intuitive, requiring a significant investment of time and effort to learn how to navigate the platform effectively. This can be a barrier for students who prefer a more straightforward and user-friendly learning experience.
Integration Challenges: Integrating MindTap with existing Learning Management Systems (LMS) can sometimes present challenges, leading to synchronization issues, broken links, and difficulties in accessing grades or assignments. This can create confusion and inconvenience for both students and instructors.
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Is Course Hero a true champion, a Herculean force in the realm of learning management systems? User reviews from the past year present a somewhat mixed bag. While Course Hero is generally lauded for its expansive library of study materials, some users feel it doesn't quite hit the mark as an LMS. A recurring theme in positive feedback is the platform's impressive repository of study aids. Users consistently praise the platform for its wide array of course-specific notes, study guides, and practice problems, finding them particularly beneficial for exam preparation and tackling homework assignments. However, a consistent gripe among users is the high cost of a subscription, with some finding it difficult to justify the expense, especially given the variable quality of user-uploaded content. This inconsistency in quality raises concerns about reliability, as users can't always be sure of the accuracy and helpfulness of the materials they encounter. While some users rave about the platform's user-friendliness and intuitive design, others express frustration with the interface, finding it less intuitive than competing platforms. Ultimately, Course Hero, as an LMS, seems best suited for students who need supplementary study resources and are willing to pay a premium for a vast library of materials. However, those seeking a primary learning platform or relying on a tight budget might find more suitable options elsewhere.

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Let's tap into the minds of MindTap users and see what they have to say. User reviews from the past year suggest MindTap offers a robust platform for learning and course management, but it's not without its quirks. Reviewers frequently praise MindTap's ability to integrate seamlessly with learning management systems (LMS) like Blackboard and Canvas, making it a convenient hub for accessing course materials, assignments, and grades. The platform's interactive features, such as quizzes, flashcards, and simulations, receive positive feedback for enhancing engagement and comprehension. However, some users find the interface a bit clunky and overwhelming, especially for those new to online learning platforms. Technical glitches and occasional syncing issues can also disrupt the learning flow. Despite these drawbacks, MindTap stands out for its comprehensive content library and alignment with Cengage textbooks, making it a valuable tool for students seeking additional support and practice. Ultimately, MindTap is best suited for students who prefer a structured learning environment with readily available resources and are comfortable navigating a feature-rich online platform. Those who value simplicity and a more intuitive interface might explore alternative options.

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