McGraw-Hill Connect vs. Top Hat

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.

Top Hat is well suited for courses where students are comfortable with utilizing online learning management system as part of their course contents. It is more appropriate to use Top Hat as a stand-alone learning management system or if the school happens to have it integrated to the system. It is not recommended to use Top Hat and another platform or system for students as this would be too much for students.

Incentivized

• 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.

Incentivized

• I use Top Hat as a discussion tool where the students can write what they have learned or what they haven't.
• Exams are taken in class and are totally paperless with grades available immediately.

Incentivized

• Difficult navigation upon sign-in
• Too many choices per chapter - difficult to know which part to select to walk through assignments with students

Incentivized

• If students are paying, it's a confusing onboarding process for students and instructors and could be better streamlined.
• The Android app not as well polished as iOS.
• A better, free, or ad-supported model might be more palpable to students.
• Integration directly with PowerPoint -- not requiring instructors to upload their slides to Top Hat.

Incentivized

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.

Incentivized

They are very helpful and fast to resolve any issues

Incentivized

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.

Incentivized

Top Hat generally stacks up pretty well against other industry leading or popular learning management systems. Top Hat is comparable to learning management systems used in most educational institutions. The features such as allowing the educator to create an interactive experience by leveraging tools such as quizzes and polls is comparable. Data on student performance is also a helpful feature that is comparable to that of other similar learning management systems.

Incentivized

• 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.

Incentivized

• One of the better ways to track attendance in a mostly secure and automated way.
• Promotes more active learning, especially in large classrooms.
• Unpopular if students have to pay.

Incentivized