Course Hero, a popular online learning platform, boasts a vast library of study resources, including notes, practice problems, and past exams. But the platform’s accessibility raises a critical question: Does using Course Hero constitute cheating? Course Hero, like similar platforms, emphatically denies facilitating cheating. They argue that they provide educational resources and leave the definition of academic dishonesty to individual institutions.
The University of Colorado Boulder’s honor code, for example, prohibits “unauthorized assistance.” This ambiguity creates a gray area. While plagiarism and directly copying answers are clearly violations, the line blurs when considering collaborative learning. Group work often involves sharing notes, solutions, and understanding—activities mirrored on Course Hero. The platform becomes a double-edged sword, offering legitimate study aids alongside the temptation for outright cheating. Students seeking easy answers to exams might find Course Hero an enticing shortcut.
Anonymity further complicates the issue. Untraceable uploads make it difficult to identify and penalize those who misuse the platform for cheating. This anonymity also raises concerns about the reliability and accuracy of the uploaded content. While Course Hero implements safeguards against copyright infringement and encourages responsible use, the potential for misuse remains. The platform’s vast resource library can be a valuable tool for learning, but its accessibility also presents a significant challenge to academic integrity. The ultimate determination of whether using Course Hero constitutes cheating rests on individual student intent and institutional policies.
