Homework help sites offer different types of services to students for a fee, including but not limited to: textbook rentals, homework solutions, online experts/tutors, and explanation videos.
Although these sites claim that their goal is to help students understand course material, they often offer non-legitimate services.
Often these sites have an area where students can post homework questions that tutors/experts will answer. The answers you receive from the "experts" or "tutors" could be incorrect. These experts were not in your class, did not attend lectures, nor have access to the course material. Therefore, you cannot depend on their answers.
When students use the answers provided for tests, they are engaging in cheating. Students who have not posted questions but view and use the answers provided are also engaging in cheating.
When you post test questions, you are sharing your professor's copyrighted material without their knowledge or permission. This is a violation of copyright law in Canada.
If these sites are used for test/exam cheating, some of these companies will supply identifying information to your professor and you may face an academic integrity breach.
These sites are not legitimate sources of help. They are more concerned with profit: students are charged to use these services, usually through a monthly subscription fee.
Legitimate sources of help, such as Sheridan's Tutoring Centre, do not provide answers to students. Instead, they support student learning and provide help with study skills.
Want to learn more about the difference between legitimate and non-legitimate sources of help? Contact the Academic Integrity Office at aif@sheridancollege.ca