Hello! My name is Todd Beuckens and I am a teacher based in Asia. I have been teaching ESL for over twenty years. I have taught in Japan, Taiwan, the U.S. and Thailand. I am currently teaching in Kyuushuu, Japan. I started elllo.org ten years ago and since then have started other sites for educational purposes.
I'm Shayna, originally from the U.S. but currently based in Brazil. I have a CELTA certificate and several years' experience teaching ESL both one-on-one and in groups. I'm also the founder of EspressoEnglish.net, which provides short, sweet online English lessons.Non-Monetization - The UPS Model
In two previous lessons we looked at how to get paid directly and indirectly. Now we are going to look at why it is a good idea to not even worry about money, and why teachers should create content for free.
Utility
The first reason you should create free content is because there is a need for it, and as educators, noone is better equiped to create and share education content than teachers. Creating free materials that any student can use is very rewarding in that you know are you making a difference and helping people who really need it but maybe do not have the means to pay for it. Many students do not have credit cards or much money, so by offering your content for free, you are assuring that people who really need it, are getting it. Teachers are always sharing materials within their circles or organizations, so sharing material online is just an extension of that.
People
When you create an online course, content or site, you open yourself to a greater audience and to people you can connect with outside your local world. By having an online presence, teachers and students can reach out to you, which allows you to make new friends and connections and network with people interested in your area of expertise. Also, there is the chance to collaborate with others in yoru field and start friendships and relationships that can last a lifetime.
Satisfaction
Finally, the last reason teachers should create content for free is because it is fun! There is something powerful and enriching about creating content as it allows the creator to grow and express themselves to an audience beyond their world. Usually, the more enjoyable the content creation process is, the greater the chances that the site.
The Freemium Model
Many of the most well-known companies (and richest) became so by offering their content for free. Google offers many products for free, as so does Facebook and Twitter. While all of these companies now offer services that bring in revenue, when they first started out, they were completely free with no monetization at all. Over time, each company introduced ways to generate revenue, but often not for many years after their inception. This practice is part of the freemium model, in which companies start out free and then do not monetize until later down the line. When creating educational content, the freemium model is a good model to follow as it allows the creator time to find their voice and develop an audience without the stress of making money right of the bat.
10 Reasons Teachers Need Websites
Have you ever thought about creating your own website for your students. If so, we have ten reasons why it is a great idea to do so.
Audio Basics
Learn about the various types of audio formats, how to record audio, how to embed audio on a website or mobile site, and basic editing tips and tricks.
Resource Room
Get links to software and useful websites for creating digital content and creating online lessons. Many of the resources are freeware or offer a freemium service.