A Comprehensive Guide to Course Hero’s Free and Paid Features
If you’re a university student, then you’re probably familiar with the online learning platform, Course Hero. Many students swear by Course Hero for access to study resources and documents, but for many others, the intricacies of the platform can be a turnoff or a source of confusion. One of the biggest questions students have about Course Hero is whether or not it’s free. This article aims to clarify this issue and provide a comprehensive guide to navigating Course Hero’s features, including both free and paid options.
The Different Features of Course Hero’s Website
Course Hero offers a range of features and tools designed to help students succeed in their studies. At its core, Course Hero is a platform that allows students to access study resources and documents uploaded by other students or tutors. This includes study guides, notes, and test preparations, and the website has a vast database of over 30 million course-specific resources. Nevertheless, Course Hero’s finer details can be challenging to navigate, and these are the several options you must be familiar with:
1. Study Resources
As mentioned earlier, Course Hero’s primary role is to offer students access to materials that can help them succeed in their academic pursuits. These materials are uploaded by Course Hero users and passed through a rigorous verification process to ensure that they are relevant and beneficial. Resources may include flashcards, study guides, lecture notes, and even past exams and essays. Resources are rated according to their usefulness and comprehensiveness, and users can give feedback and even collaborate and communicate with their authors on the platform.
2. Tutoring Services
Course Hero also offers live online tutoring services for an extra cost. These services are offered via video conferencing and are available 24/7. Tutors are experts in their respective fields and can help students with homework, projects, or any other academic-related tasks. Access is also granted to the site’s Chegg Study pack, which provides step-by-step solutions, practice problems, and interactive study guides, and it costs around $15 per month.
3. Custom Q&A
Another essential feature on Course Hero’s platform is the custom question-and-answer tool. Students can submit brief questions related to their coursework or academic projects, with tutors or other Course Hero users providing detailed explanations and answers. This feature also comes with a verification process to ensure that responses are accurate and relevant. Responses are presented in a threaded layout, allowing students to connect with other students and get valuable explanations.
The Truth About Course Hero’s Free Subscription
Yes, Course Hero has a free option for users, but this comes with several limitations. It’s essential to note that Course Hero is a profit-based company, and their free features are intended to act as a sample of what you’ll get when upgrading your subscription. With a free account, users have access to a selection of study resources as well as the ability to upload their materials and documents. Here’s what you can expect with a free Course Hero account:
Access to a limited number of study resources
One of the most significant limitations of a free Course Hero account is that it limits access to the site’s extensive resources significantly. Users can only access up to 3 different resources every month, and they cannot view a resource more than three times. This implies that most students cannot access the materials they require when they need them. The three-document limit resets every month, giving users access to new materials.
Uploading documents
Another feature that is available on the free subscription is the ability to upload documents to the platform. This feature is fundamental, and it allows users to share their notes and study materials with their peers. Users, however, cannot access other users’ documents until they upgrade their accounts.
How to Use Course Hero for Free
While the free subscription to Course Hero is limited, there are still many ways that students can get the most out of the platform without spending a dime. Here are some of the most effective tips and tricks for using Course Hero for free:
1. Collaborate with classmates
A significant advantage of Course Hero’s platform is that students can upload and share their notes. This encourages collaboration and helps maintain a sense of community among students in the same course. By working with your classmates, you’re sure to have access to wider variances of study resources.
2. Take advantage of free trial periods
Course Hero and many other online learning platforms offer free trial periods to their users. Enrollment in one of these trial periods is an excellent way to get access to the site’s premium features without having to pay for them. It is important to note that this, like all trial periods, is time-limited, but scheduled judiciously, you can benefit from premium features without having to pay for them.
3. Participate in the reward system
Course Hero has a reward program for its users, and this is another way to access premium features for free. Users earn “unlocks” by uploading content, rating resources, and providing detailed feedback on uploaded content. Users can also earn unlocks by simply logging into the platform every day or filling out surveys.
Course Hero’s Free Trial: Is It Worth It?
As we mentioned earlier in this article, Course Hero offers users a free trial offer. But is it worth it? The answer to this question depends largely on what you’re looking to get out of the platform. Here are some of the pros and cons of Course Hero’s free trial:
Pros of the Course Hero’s free trial
1. Access to premium study resources: The biggest advantage of Course Hero’s free trial is that it provides access to premium study resources that can help students in their coursework. This feature is beneficial for students introducing their notes, trying to learn how to read their books, research material for their assignment and prepare for their mid-term and final exams.
Cons of the Course Hero’s free trial
1. The time-limited period: As mentioned earlier, the free trial offer is scheduled for a limited period. This means that students must use the platform’s premium features extensively and “cram” as much information as possible in that time frame to get value.
Course Hero vs. Free Alternatives
There are several alternatives to Course Hero that claim to offer similar benefits such as free access to study materials and resources. Here’s a look at some of the benefits and drawbacks of each option:
1. Online study groups
Participating in online study groups remains one of the most popular alternatives to Course Hero. Services such as Google Plus, Facebook Groups, and Skype groups offer users the opportunity to collaborate and share study resources without paying fees. These platforms provide students with the chance to work together, get immediate feedback and have their questions answered.
2. Other online resources
There are some free online resources for students that are often not part of traditional learning platforms, such as OpenStax and Khan Academy. These resources are accessible for free, and they aim to provide high-quality educational materials.
The Impact of Course Hero’s Free Content on Education and Academic Integrity
When it comes to academic resources, students have traditionally relied on what their institutions have provided them, such as a designated library or other training platforms and database. However, with Course Hero and a constant thirst for less complicated solutions, new concerns have risen – what impact does free content, Course Hero’s being a prime example, have on education and academic integrity?
On one hand, Course Hero and similar platforms offer students increased access to the academic resources they need, which can help them succeed in their studies. Conversely, this easy access may also foster laziness, shortcuts to academic success, and promote cheating, which would not be a sustainable learning strategy in the long run. As an endnote, the benefits and risks of using Course Hero and similar platforms need to be closely monitored as new trends in learning emerge.
The Future of Course Hero’s Free Offerings
Course Hero and other online learning platforms continue to expand their free offerings, yet it is essential to think about what this expansion can Do. As learning transformations continue, there could be new strings attached to accessing resources for little or no fee. Features like custom Q&A tools, flashcard makers and live tutoring are designed to bring convenience to learning, but it is unclear what impact they will have on academic integrity in the long run.
Conclusion
Course Hero is a useful platform for university students looking to succeed in their coursework. While its free offerings are limited, there are still many resources available for students to take advantage of. Course Hero’s premium features can be a valuable investment for students looking to hone their skills and master their coursework. Nevertheless, there are also several alternatives for students who don’t want to pay for access to academic resources. Ultimately, the decision to use Course Hero or any other platform is a personal choice dependent on time and financial needs, risks, and ethical concerns.
