Why?

[Twelve Volt Man]

http://forums.realpolice.net/showthread.php?t=61629

Why are so many members here so quick to jump on others for asking for help with school projects? When most of us were in school, the internet wasn't a viable option for gathering research. Nowadays, one would be stupid to ignore the potential that it offers. Students still should research local agencies, but to ignore, potentially, hundreds or thousands of officers who can offer input, is ridiculous. Nonetheless, whenever someone comes here asking for help with schoolwork, they routinely get the same admonishment... "do your own work!"

In my opinion, soliciting help from officers on the internet, especially from a site where officers are verified, is a legitimate method of research, as long as it is combined with a sufficient amount of other research. Since we can't validate how much other research has been done by a student, I feel that it's a rush to judgment to accuse a student of being lazy. Why don't we try to help those (especially those who are obviously not trolls) who may have legitimate questions, instead of flaming them? Just my two cents.

[mcsap]

Perhaps if some of those who seek knowledge to fulfill a school requirement would show some initiative in doing some research PRIOR to coming here instead just asking us for advice/opinions( which can seem like a request for us to do their work for them) , they might be a little more successful.

[MDEMT280]

The Internet has made it possible to do research without ever going to a library, cracking open an actual paper book, or picking up a telephone and actually talking to people. It's really convenient, but I worry that some people are forgetting how to have human interaction with others.

I agree, Internet forums are very useful. I've frequented Chevy forums, and received great advice there. I've visited fire and EMS forums, and I've learned new stuff there. I'm a member here, and I've learned things here. There are distinct advantages to asking questions here. You can, for example, find city, state, and federal LEOs all in one place. We have university LEOs, full-time LEOs, reserve LEOs, foreign LEOs. We even have Norm. :cool: But some questions, such as those dealing with the specific policies of one department, could be better resolved by dialing the admin number for that department, explaining the question, and getting help from a PIO, community relations person, etc.

There's also the added research advantage of it being "on the record." Sure, we have verified LEOs, but if I ask you a question and want your name and department and I want to publish that... there's some apprehension there, I'm sure. At least by going through "official channels" you get the "official line" and you can cite it as being official.

So, in summary (for those of you turned off by long posts :D): The Internet is a useful tool. It can provide lots of help. But sometimes, the Internet is not the best way. Careful analysis of the question should be performed by the questioner before it is asked.

[squadcar]

This is something that goes through my mind everytime I read one of those posts, and the responses that follow.

In the most recent student help post, ROS responded with this:

We get a lot of requests like this here, and generally, they're aren't well received for 3 reasons:

1. people you talk to in person can answers these questions just as easily as we can.

2. LEOs here didn't join this site to help CJ students with their homework, and don't appreciate requests to do such unless it's offered first.

3. It shows laziness on the part of the student who is not willing to call the local PD and go down to interview someone, but rather tries to pass on their work for someone over the Internet to complete.

Just something to consider.

So, in response to ROS's comment, this is the way our generation sees it:

1. people you talk to in person can answers these questions just as easily as we can.

Yes, so if you guys can answer it just as easily, why don't you? Our generation would rather use the internet any day than do what your generation does, and actually go to the department.

2. LEOs here didn't join this site to help CJ students with their homework, and don't appreciate requests to do such unless it's offered first.

I completely agree with this one, but maybe some assistance could be given other than a boot up the *** and the thread locked, because that's what's happening.

3. It shows laziness on the part of the student who is not willing to call the local PD and go down to interview someone, but rather tries to pass on their work for someone over the Internet to complete.

Again, that's just the way it is nowadays. We have the internet, so why bother? It sounds strange, I know, but things have obviously changed with the introduction of the internet. Sadly. And for the record, they aren't passing on their work, the majority of them are asking for an interview or a couple of questions (the excact same thing they'd get at the PD, but a hell of a lot easier and quicker to do it here, but again, is the fault of the internet)

What I'm trying to say is, most students these days are internet dependant. That's not going to change. They come here looking for an interview or something and they're told to call the PD or go down themselves, but things don't operate this way anymore. I mean, unless they're asking you to do their whole project I see nothing wrong with asking for an interview or a couple of questions. Some consideration could be given, at least! :rolleyes:

Anyway, I'm not saying that you guys are wrong or anything, I'm just saying that this is the way student generation operates on things like this.

[txinvestigator1]

This is something that goes through my mind everytime I read one of those posts, and the responses that follow.

In the most recent student help post, ROS responded with this:




So, in response to ROS's comment, this is the way our generation sees it:

1. people you talk to in person can answers these questions just as easily as we can.

Yes, so if you guys can answer it just as easily, why don't you? Our generation would rather use the internet any day than do what your generation does, and actually go to the department.

2. LEOs here didn't join this site to help CJ students with their homework, and don't appreciate requests to do such unless it's offered first.

I completely agree with this one, but maybe some assistance could be given other than a boot up the *** and the thread locked, because that's what's happening.

3. It shows laziness on the part of the student who is not willing to call the local PD and go down to interview someone, but rather tries to pass on their work for someone over the Internet to complete.

Again, that's just the way it is nowadays. We have the internet, so why bother? It sounds strange, I know, but things have obviously changed with the introduction of the internet. Sadly. And for the record, they aren't passing on their work, the majority of them are asking for an interview or a couple of questions (the excact same thing they'd get at the PD, but a hell of a lot easier and quicker to do it here, but again, is the fault of the internet)

What I'm trying to say is, most students these days are internet dependant. That's not going to change. They come here looking for an interview or something and they're told to call the PD or go down themselves, but things don't operate this way anymore. I mean, unless they're asking you to do their whole project I see nothing wrong with asking for an interview or a couple of questions. Some consideration could be given, at least! :rolleyes:

Anyway, I'm not saying that you guys are wrong or anything, I'm just saying that this is the way student generation operates on things like this.

No. Lazy and unmotivated students do it your way.

Your contention that "that's just the way it is now" is silly. There is nothing wrong with using the internet to do research, your own. Google, Wikipedia, Ask, and Findlaw all have valuable research.

This is a social site where most of us come to help other officers and people who are curious about LE work, interact with other officers and relax. Most of us don't want to answer questions from students, authors or screenplay writers.

If YOU do, knock yourself out. No one is stopping you.

[H.R. Cufnstuf]

This site doesn't really market itself as an information resource, at least a lot of the Verifieds don't see it as one. That's why people get upset.

I beg to differ with you tx, many colleges are expecting more in terms of quantity and quality now that students have access to electronic resources.

[txinvestigator1]

This site doesn't really market itself as an information resource, at least a lot of the Verifieds don't see it as one. That's why people get upset.

I beg to differ with you tx, many colleges are expecting more in terms of quantity and quality now that students have access to electronic resources.

I don't doubt that. But coming here last minute and needing things ASAP tells me that a person is lazy and unmotivated. ;)

[H.R. Cufnstuf]

Procrastination is the work of geniuses ;)

[squadcar]

If YOU do, knock yourself out. No one is stopping you.

Actually, I don't.

And as a matter of fact, hardly anyone in school these days actually goes somewhere to interview someone or to find out information, unless it's stated that it has to be done this way. The internet has changed all of that. It is ''just the way it is''.

Lazy? Of course! The internet has taken a lot of stress and hard work off of one hell of a lot of people, not just students. We all tend to try to take the easy way out and just go to the internet to do things. And no, I'm not making it up, it's "just the way it is". As a result, people are getting lazy. The television did the same thing when it first appeared, and it's still doing it now.

And as I said in my last post, I am not disagreeing with you. I was simply stating the way most students see the internet as a way to get their information as opposed to actually getting it for themselves. And this website is an excellent place to do that.



Oh yeah, and I know that a lot of you guys here really don't want to answer their questions or participate in an interview, but from what I've seen so far, some of you actually do. If I were in that position, instead of spewing what I think they should do, I wouldn't even respond and let anyone who wants to go for it respond.

[squadcar]

I don't doubt that. But coming here last minute and needing things ASAP tells me that a person is lazy and unmotivated. ;)

Hell yes. The least they can do is want to get the work completed.

[txinvestigator1]

Actually, I don't.

And as a matter of fact, hardly anyone in school these days actually goes somewhere to interview someone or to find out information, unless it's stated that it has to be done this way. The internet has changed all of that. It is ''just the way it is''.

Lazy? Of course! The internet has taken a lot of stress and hard work off of one hell of a lot of people, not just students. We all tend to try to take the easy way out and just go to the internet to do things. And no, I'm not making it up, it's "just the way it is". As a result, people are getting lazy. The television did the same thing when it first appeared, and it's still doing it now.

And as I said in my last post, I am not disagreeing with you. I was simply stating the way most students see the internet as a way to get their information as opposed to actually getting it for themselves. And this website is an excellent place to do that.

Then "most" students deserve the menial, low paying careers they will get. That said, I disagree with you that "most" are that way.

Oh yeah, and I know that a lot of you guys here really don't want to answer their questions or participate in an interview, but from what I've seen so far, some of you actually do. If I were in that position, instead of spewing what I think they should do, I wouldn't even respond and let anyone who wants to go for it respond.

Then don't respond. However, I'll still respond if the mood suits me. :rolleyes:

[squadcar]

Then "most" students deserve the menial, low paying careers they will get. That said, I disagree with you that "most" are that way.


Then don't respond. However, I'll still respond if the mood suits me. :rolleyes:

I couldn't respond even if I wanted to, they post it in the "ask-a-cop" section :rolleyes:

[acreature]

If I were in that position, instead of spewing what I think they should do, I wouldn't even respond and let anyone who wants to go for it respond.

I think you should start a thread in Suggest a Topic/Comment on Site. :rolleyes:

[highwayman]

This site doesn't really market itself as an information resource, at least a lot of the Verifieds don't see it as one. That's why people get upset.

Actually, if you think about it, IT IS all about information and ideas revolving around the LE profession.
What else is there but information?
This site does exactly that, provide information about LE work in a creative and fun way.

On the other hand LEO's in general became police officers because they want to help people.
Having said that, helping is not to be confused with babysitting. ;)

[txinvestigator1]

I couldn't respond even if I wanted to, they post it in the "ask-a-cop" section :rolleyes:

Now you are starting to get it.