Studying Overrun by Online Aid

ELTON HO
Staff Writer

With neatly organized summaries, sophisticated analyses and study questions, SparkNotes and other related websites are many students’ primary resources for literary aid. Unfortunately, while these websites have benevolent intentions, they can easily be abused by students who are looking for an easy way out of doing their homework. Internet study guides are best used as supplemental resources for gaining other perspectives on the text, not as cheating tools.

Issues can arise from over-reliance on online aids. Plagiarism is one of these problems; students often regurgitate ideas they find on the Internet into their schoolwork without including their own input. In addition, students may form valid interpretations of the book that differ from the ones addressed on SparkNotes, but subsequently dismiss their own idea as incorrect, because it doesn’t correspond. To avoid these conflicts, SparkNotes includes a lengthy segment on plagiarism in their help section which emphasizes proper citation and original thought. Their efforts are commendable, not particularly effective as a hard-pressed student may still find it reasonable to sacrifice personal integrity for a good grade.

Overuse of literary aid websites causes students to miss out on fully enjoying aspects of the reading experience, which include witnessing development of thought-provoking characters, feeling the suspense of a thrilling climax and experiencing the catharsis that comes with the denouement.

By teaching students to take the easiest route in doing their schoolwork, these websites hinder students’ learning ability and diminish the satisfaction they receive from doing their own work.