<p>Yeah actually my teacher did recommend that we read Sparknotes as a "supplement" but didn't say anything about that Sparknotes quizzes.</p>
<p>I know that the teachers at my school do not like Sparknotes for the sole reason that some students write down on the test what they read in the guide. The point of English is to help the student think critically and use their own ideas and interpretations of works-that's what the teachers say. Some teachers have gone as far as to say that using Sparknotes on a test is the same as plagiarism of another person's ideas. With the IB Oral presentation, Sparknotes will not help...well not in a practical sense. I can't imagine someone cramming for all the possible works that might show up for the Oral...since at my school, students have no idea what they will be talking about until 15 minutes before they speak.</p>
<p>Personally, I really don't really see anything wrong with Sparknotes, as long as it's used as a suppplement as others have said. Still, some people in my class have actually stopped reading the books we have been assigned and just read Sparknotes...so I see why teachers might have a problem with it.</p>
<p>^ I agree. Some teachers at my school discourage using Sparknotes, while other teachers feel that it is okay if you've read the book already. Personally, I think Sparknotes is only helpful if you have no clue about what's going on in the story. The analysis is not bad, but it kind of just skims over the summary and adds a little significance on certain parts here and there. As for specific details and interpretation, there's not a lot of information you can get from reading Sparknotes. When it comes to that, I use the brain.</p>
<p>
[quote]
A lot of teachers do that... my history teacher gives quizzes right from the glencoe (USH Bailey book) website. It's really funny that he doesn't notice yet.
[/quote]
My teacher does the same exact thing lol (except w/The American Pageant). The class is becoming insanely easy.</p>
<p>i wish my english teacher would do that....</p>
<p>Seriously...I would not feel at ease with myself if classes became too easy.</p>
<p>If classes are too easy I get bored quickly, and then I start hating it. Once I get there, I won't do the work...so there will be a consequential drop in grades.</p>
<p>Why not though? Eh?</p>
<p>CliffsNotes are so much better. Sparknotes does a poor job of analyzing many literary devices; it merely interprets the plot.</p>
<p>That's a good thing, if you start spewing out Cliffnotes themes, you'll get busted.</p>
<p>I agree with kman...I would feel like its a waste of time...I actually want to be challenged in my classes.</p>
<p>See with me, I want challenge in my math and especially science classes because those are what I will major in. As for history and lit, why have them be lots of work when you're learning them for no reason.</p>
<p>logistics, I am the opposite...I care more about history and english. I do like bio though since I have such a great teacher. I don't care much for math at all. It has always been a weak spot for me.</p>
<p>I can't say math is a waste of time because my potential major is finance...(though I HATE my math teacher)...but I DESPISE science with a burning, fiery passion and with every fiber in my body. I really like history and I really like English. I didn't like English last year because the teacher was, well, "special", and had too many pet peeves. </p>
<p>I'm learning science for no reason. I'm also learning parts of calculus for no reason. I wish my school offered an elective in business/financial mathematics. :) I'd take Finance over calculus any day.</p>
<p>I must be incredibly unusual in that I think there's no such thing as learning "for no reason"... and that "in order to become more educated" (to increase one's knowledge) is reason enough. I'm sure you'll say that's a romanticized (flawed, idealistic) view, of course. :p</p>
<p>well yes, but why stress out and want hard work in the classes you are merely learning just to become more educated? stress out over the ones you want to use in life and just merely get a view of the other courses, ya know?</p>
<p>i find english more interesting... although i'm bummed to say that my eng. prof is on probation.</p>
<p>thisyearsgirl...knowledge...TOK...</p>
<p>I am picking up a very TOKish element in your post.</p>
<p>^One of my TOK teachers (we have different teachers for each unit) wrote on my progress report that "[I have] a mind that was clearly cut out for TOK thinking" ... so you may well be on to something. ;) I get frustrated with the class sometimes, because I'm not really that existential (philosophical?) of a person, but it's been an interesting experience so far.</p>
<p>I loved TOK...though I was the one with the minority opinion half the time.</p>