Introduction to au.edubirdies
Au.edubirdies is an Australian-based website that provides academic writing assistance to university students. Founded in 2013, the site connects students requiring help with their assignments to freelance writers who can complete the work for a fee. While offering a service some argue helps students in need, au.edubirdies and similar companies remain controversial due to concerns about the ethics of completing coursework assignments for others. This article will provide an overview of how au.edubirdies operates and examine some of the debates surrounding online academic assistance services.
How Au.EduBirdies Works
Students who need help with an assignment can submit details of the required work through au.edubirdies’ online order form. This includes specifying the academic level, subject area, number of pages, sources required, formatting style, and deadline. Students choose between three service levels – standard, gold, and platinum – corresponding to different prices and levels of expertise from writers.
Once submitted, the order is sent to au.edubirdies’ pool of freelance writers. Writers apply for these positions and must demonstrate appropriate qualifications for the university-level work. Matches are made based on a writer’s expertise, ratings, and availability to complete the project on time. Writers then send sample answers for clients to review their skills and select the best match.
For the selected order, the writer researches, plans, and writes the assignment based on the guidelines and information provided. Au.edubirdies claims all work is original and not plagiarized using authentication software. Drafts may go through editing rounds until the client is satisfied. Once approved, the completed paper is submitted to the client for their own use, typically before the scheduled deadline.
Clients can provide feedback on writers’ work, which contributes to their profile and rating on au.edubirdies. Additional services include editing, proofreading, and revising existing drafts. The company also offers topic selection help and research paper proposals. While not condoning academic integrity violations, au.edubirdies argues it helps relieve student stress by completing difficult or time-consuming assignments.
Costs depend on type and length of project, deadline, and service level chosen. Standard papers start at around $18 per page for high school level to $26 per page for PhD/Masters level work. A rush fee may also apply for quick turnarounds. Payment is made securely through au.edubirdies’ website using PayPal or credit cards at the time of order placement. Writers receive a percentage of the payment for their work.
Debates Around Online Academic Assistance
Critics argue au.edubirdies and similar services undermine academic integrity by completing assignments that are meant to assess students’ own knowledge and abilities. This is seen as ‘contract cheating’ that violates universities’ codes of conduct. While some students may use the assistance appropriately to supplement their studies, others essentially ‘buy’ degrees without putting in the real effort and learning themselves.
Supporters counter that au.edubirdies aims to help time-poor students with specific tasks rather than entire courses of contract cheating. They see it as similar to paid tutoring or having someone proofread papers. When used judiciously, it can ease stressors and allow focus on core subjects. Critics remain concerned it promotes a ‘customer’ mindset about education rather than learning.
Others question if universities adequately support students’ work-life balance and wellbeing. Strict policies may drive more students to undeclared assistance out of desperation. Some reforms discussed include capping individual assessment points, more support services, and flexible course designs. This does not resolve concerns about student independence and critical thinking development.
Au.edubirdies and its clients also face risks. Universities actively monitor for cheating and some punish any involvement in contract companies. There is no guarantee of 100% originality or that a writer will meet expectations. Communication relies on online profiles without face-to-face confirmation. While au.edubirdies claims to check writers and refund dissatisfied customers, quality variation remains a factor.
Regulation Debate
Proposals to ban or regulate academic assistance services are common but face difficulties. Many operate offshore out of regulation reach. Attempts to block websites can be circumvented with new domain names or going underground. Policies targeting support rather than prohibition argue this drives the industry covert rather than resolving its root issues.
Some advocate regulating companies like au.edubirdies through quality control guidelines and transparency requirements. For example, detailed writer verification, originality guarantees, sample work review, and a consumer complaints process. Enforcement across international borders poses challenges. And it does not fully resolve discomfort around ‘outsourcing’ degree work or lack of learning.
Others propose working with service providers to clarify appropriate versus inappropriate uses of assistance. For example, distinguishing between using writers for minor tasks versus full assignments. Clear communication could help guide students towards supplementing rather than substituting their own work. But defining fuzzy boundaries remains complex.
Overall regulating companies like au.edubirdies remains controversial. Views fall along a spectrum between prohibition, harm reduction through guidelines, or laissez-faire permitting student autonomy. Academic integrity policies also influence prevailing approaches across different educational institutions. The debate involves weighing academic standards, student welfare, and practical enforceability considerations without easy consensus.
Conclusion
Au.edubirdies and similar online academic assistance companies operate in a gray area that some see as helping overwhelmed students but others view as undermining core educational values. Reasonable perspectives exist on both sides, and reasonable people can disagree on acceptable policies. While prohibiting ‘contract cheating’ outright appeals to academic purists, practical challenges complicate enforceability. Potentially effective middle ground solutions involving regulation, harm-reduction messaging, or institutional support reforms also face difficulties in implementation across globalized higher education systems. The lack of agreement reflects complex trade-offs around standards, welfare, and governance in this evolving issue without a single clear answer. An open and nuanced discussion acknowledges realities students face but protects academic rigor and independent learning.
Andrew Stroud