Free Edubirdie: Understanding the Debate Around This Academic Writing Service
Edubirdie is an academic writing assistance service that connects students with freelance writers who can complete various writing tasks and assignments. While the company offers paid services, they also provide some free features that have generated controversy regarding academic integrity. This article explores both sides of the debate around using Edubirdie’s free services.
How Edubirdie’s Free Services Work
Edubirdie allows students to post details of an assignment for free on their website. This includes providing information like the topic, requirements, word count or page limit, and deadline. Freelance writers on Edubirdie’s platform can then choose to work on these assignments and submit drafts or finished work to the student.
Students are not obligated to accept or pay for any submitted work. If a student does decide to pay for and use a writer’s submission, the standard writer rates apply. Some key points about Edubirdie’s free posting and matching process:
Students don’t need to provide personal details like name or university when posting for free. This allows for anonymity.
There is no guarantee a writer will choose to work on a free posted assignment. Competition for work is high with many students posting tasks.
Any work submitted through free posting can be used as reference or inspiration by the student but still must be rewritten in their own words to avoid plagiarism.
While free, students risk writers submitting very low quality or incomplete work that does not meet the stated requirements. There is no vetting of writers’ qualifications.
Support for Free Edubirdie Services
Supporters of using Edubirdie’s free services argue that it provides students with a valuable resource for brainstorming ideas or getting feedback on their own initial drafts. Having writers review requirements and provide sample outlines or paragraphs can help clarify assignment instructions or highlight areas students may have overlooked.
Supporters also note that ultimately the onus is on students to do their own original writing. While inspiration or references from Edubirdie submissions are allowed, students must sufficiently paraphrase or rewrite any used content to avoid plagiarism. The free posting boards simply connect students with potential writing helpers, not act as a means to directly submit others’ work as their own.
Criticisms of Free Edubirdie Use
Critics of relying on Edubirdie’s free services argue it can promote academic dishonesty and shortcut the learning process. Concerns include:
Without payment, there is no vetting of writers’ qualifications. Students could receive very poor quality work or even work copied directly from other sources online.
It may be tempting for time-pressed students to pass off writers’ submissions as their own with minimal alteration rather than do original writing. This crosses into clear plagiarism.
Over-relying on Edubirdie’s references and sample paragraphs could undermine students’ own research, analytical, and composition skills development if not used judiciously.
Free account anonymity may feel like an “out” if students are caught plagiarizing from Edubirdie submissions, but universities can still discipline based on submitted content alone.
Allowing non-students to complete academic work that is then submitted perpetuates “ghostwriting” services that compromise academic integrity standards.
Balancing Academic Integrity with Resources
While free services offer a starting point for assistance, both Edubirdie and academic institutions encourage students to use additional resources for original work. When used judiciously as inspiration for independent writing rather than direct submission, Edubirdie’s free posting can provide value. Careful review and substantial rewriting is required to avoid potential ethical issues. Overall, free services are a supplemental rather than primary research tool for diligent students balancing learning goals with time constraints.