Online study resources aren’t automatically cheating

Many English students sifting through dense literature are saddled with the lengthy chores of reading and rereading assigned novels to prepare for in class tests and discussions.

While some students power through assignments on their own, others seek guidance through a multitude of online study resources, like SparkNotes, that provide condensed outlines of various novels.

Study resources have existed for decades, first being sold at dime or dollar stores and then spreading to the internet, allowing more students easy access to academic help and advice. Sparknotes, a popular website for study guides for a variety of subjects describes itself as “a resource you can turn to … [to] help you understand books, write papers, and study for tests.”

At the beginning of the school year, English teachers drill their students, warning them to not to use online resources such as SparkNotes, Litcharts or Shmoop. These resources are labeled as supplements for cheaters and plagiarizers.

Still, many students utilize these online resources to help finish their homework or prepare for tests. Although many teachers advocate for a ban on such online resources, these websites can actually serve as valuable review material that solidifies concepts and inspires new ideas.

Online resources give easy access to review material, providing concise chapter summaries of the most popular high school literature. These summaries are a good way to clarify and refresh one’s memory without being confused by extra details.

The sites’ analysis can also verify a student’s own analysis and provide inspiration. For example, a student reading Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” might not understand the significance or meaning of references to Greek and Roman gods and can turn to online sources to clarify allusions.

In fact, some U.S. teachers are already integrating SparkNotes into their classes as a way for students to better understand difficult texts like Shakespeare.

So why should SparkNotes be considered cheating in all instances?

Teachers are afraid that students who replace reading the book with skimming SparkNotes won’t gain the skills of interpreting text independently. Additionally, the website’s summary and analysis might not pertain to what each individual teacher is teaching.

These are valid concerns, but the majority of students using online study resources aren’t copying down articles word-for-word for use on their essays. Rather, they are using these resources to solidify their knowledge and understanding of the book after reading. By establishing a strong base of knowledge by integrating ideas from a variety of sources, students are better prepared for class, regardless of the specific focus of each lesson.

Plagiarizing from Sparknotes is another concern. But many websites like SparkNotes and CliffsNotes have strict anti-plagiarism policies, which outline that users shouldn’t misuse their resources to cheat on their tests or copy onto papers. Realizing that there’s a clear distinction between cheating and enhancing understanding with online study resources would remove the negative connotation associated with online study guides.

If students follow the guidelines, as many do, there’s no reason to ban SparkNotes. Online studying tools are a powerful resource that allow students greater access to credible summaries and analysis to boost their writing confidence.

If teachers are more open about how to correctly use SparkNotes and similar resources, students will avoid abusing online study resources, and they can instead become a valuable system for supplementing their learning.