Likelihood to Recommend If you want a prepackaged option for learning that requires minimal instructor input, comes with no support, and offers a limited number of options as far as a dynamic and engaging learning experience, then this is probably the right option for you. If, on the other hand, you want a product that does a lot of different things, has excellent customer service, dynamically engages and challenges the user in a number of different activities and learning exercises, then, uh, please look elsewhere.
Read full review Pearson Revel is probably best suited for distance learning of large sections where there is little time for discussion and grading assignments manually is prohibitive. I would prefer not to use it with small classes and traditional classes.
Read full review Pros Integration with Canvas is seamless and easy to use. Assignment completion, for students, is straightforward and easy to use. The SmartBook allows students to read as they are tested with questions and this helps them learn the material easily without having first trying to read, memorize a chapter and then answer questions. Read full review The REVEL platform is easy to navigate. The content is customizable. There are many grade reports that can be run for up-to-date information on students' progress. Read full review Cons Difficult navigation upon sign-in Too many choices per chapter - difficult to know which part to select to walk through assignments with students Read full review Unfortunately, there are some videos that do not play, or situations where the video does not match the question content. These are bugs that should be attended to by Pearson, but although I have reported them (along with students), they have not been remedied. Instructors who would prefer to use only the digital text do not have the option to purchase the text without the platform. Because the text and software are integrated, there are no "page numbers" as in other digital texts which makes it hard to reference a particular section in a lecture, assignment, or presentation. Read full review Support Rating Personally, I did not encounter McGraw-Hill support. However, I worked with colleagues who needed support and were able to receive in a timely manner. Overall, McGraw Hill Connect is user-friendly (at least from teacher interface) and easy to navigate, which minimizes the need to reach out for support. The help button is useful and provides plenty of immediate support.
Read full review Alternatives Considered McGraw-Hill Connect does a great job being user friendly and has relevant tasks and activities for what needs to be taught. Blackboard does a good job being used as a communication and quiz board and Cengage operates based on activities similar to Connect.
Read full review I have used Pearson MyPsycLab in the past. I believe it was a better overall product than the REVEL system because the text and learning activities were separated, Students could view the text, then complete the activities. Overall, I think that both printed texts and systems like REVEL will be obsolete in the near future as content is readily available on the internet at no cost to the student.
Read full review Return on Investment Because it did not integrate well with BBlearn and the adaptive quizzing did not function properly, we lost a great deal of time and had to face a large number of student issues. If it had worked well, we may still be using it. Read full review NEGATIVE: The platform is less expensive than a printed text, but students can use OER's for free. This is especially important at the community college level where students tend to have less financial resources for education. NEGATIVE: After the course completes, the student has nothing to use as a reference. They cannot go back and view the content, nor can they print any of the content. NEGATIVE: The student pays for the learning platform and content which includes a large number of activities and resources. While this seems to be a positive thing, students (and instructors) can get overwhelmed with the number of activities and resources available. Some students won't use any of the resources at all. Read full review ScreenShots