Cengage MindTap vs. Microsoft Hands-on Labs

We started using the application optimally at the beginning as a digital learning and consultation platform. In it we imported all kinds of bibliographic material so that students could access them with the ease of a tap. The application is perfect for those instructors who are not beginners in HTML. In that case, the application very practically allows them to create a complete course in the shortest possible time because it has a state-of-the-art instructional design. It was excellent for unifying all the basic course plans between teachers teaching the same subject, giving the advantage that all courses at the same level would have exactly the same information and nothing would be overlooked

Incentivized

The Microsoft Hands-on Labs were great for training when working alongside an instructor. They would show things on their screen, and I would work alongside with a real environment. Being able to actually use the environment and interact with it was more preferable than just a straight lecture. It allowed me hands-on practice.

Incentivized

• digital textbook platform with accessibility tools (read-aloud, note taking)
• interactive exercises and practice tools
• assessments including self-check quizzes and customizable exams
• LTI integration to pass grade information to learning management system
• excellent support for faculty

Incentivized

• The platform was simple
• It did what it needed to do

Incentivized

• The biggest issue our first-time users have with Mindtap is that ad/pop-up blockers often stop the tool from opening. (Mindtap typically opens in a new window vs inside the LMS) This leads to a lot of initial frustration amongst the students early in the course.
• MindTap lacks a really strong set of roles outside of Instructor and Student. There is no Teaching Assistant role or and IT/Course Builder role. Additionally setting up students workers as TAs in one course while they may be a student in another concurrently has been more than a little cumbersome.
• The UI is a bit dated and it doesn't implement many responsive web design features, though this can typically be worked around by downloading the free app.
• The mobile app experience is not as strong for Instructors as it is for students.

Incentivized

• Copying and pasting can be clunky
• Sometimes the instructions are not accurate
• For some Microsoft tools, it requires you to create a temporary account, which takes some time and is time-consuming
• Have to remember to save or you will lose your environment
• May not be the most user-friendly to initially start

Incentivized

It's hard to imagine not renewing it as the professors would not want to go back to the way their courses were previously populated. The only thing that would cause us to change would be in the textbook changed and the new company offered a better tool

Incentivized

Very easy to use.

Incentivized

The effort from them always feels strong - I'd just recommend they be more prepared for OS (mac) and LMS (blackboard) upgrades

Incentivized

It worked seamlessly with Blackboard

Incentivized

MindTap is the only learning software I currently use, but in the past I have used Pearson and McGraw Hill learning content. All of these companies are progresses at a similar rate and making great improvements to their educational materials. MindTap, in my opinion has the best customer service support and representatives in the business. Our rep. has been very responsive.

Incentivized

I think Udemy is really superior as a platform, people create super high quality courses that get employees up to speed in days. The platform has a web and mobile app and has taking notes functionality that can be exported

Incentivized

• The positive impact is to help students practice statistics to solve business problems.
• The negative side is that the pricing might be too high compared to other free options available, even though the free options might not have the same features MindTap has.

Incentivized

• I think it has a positive impact in having a platform to train employees
• I don't think the cost might be worth it given that the content is super dry

Incentivized