Loving Classroom Tools That Start Free, and Stay Free! We Appreciate You!

It is common knowledge that teaching is one of the hardest professions. We  make very little money, and yet , we have a high level of “out-of-pocket” expenses.  That’s why I (and probably every teacher I know), love it when someone comes out with a Fun Resource that Entertains and Engages,(FREE) ! Get it?

However, what irks, and disappoints  me the most,  are the companies who provide you with a free tool when they first enter the market.   They reel you in, and you use their products for an entire school year, loving every minute of it.  You get to the “How could I teach without this? point”, and then BAM! They want you to pay!

 

Isn’t there another way? Couldn’t they be a little less expensive? READ MORE

 

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The Best Things in Life are FREE!

Teachers don’t make much money, correct?  It’s common knowledge that we are one of the hardest working professions, make very little money, and yet , we have a high level of “out-of-pocket” expenses.  That’s why I (and probably every teacher I know), love it when someone comes out with a Fun Resource that Entertains and Engages,(FREE) ! Get it?

However, what irks, and disappoints, me are the companies who provide you with a free tool when they first enter the market.   They reel you in and you  use their products for an entire school year, loving every minute of it.  Finally, you get to the “How could I teach without this? point, and then BAM! They want you to pay! And yes, I’m calling two of  them out, Voki and Glogster! I fell in love with these tools and they became an integral part of my classroom. At least I had a warning with Glogster, (not that it made any difference), but Voki, good gosh! That one really upset me, because I used those cute little Avatars for everything last year!

Isn’t there another way? Couldn’t they be a little less expensive? And I’m already way ahead of them on solutions to affordability.

“Write a grant” they say.  Grant writing is a timely process and just like money, that’s not something I have a lot of!

“Ask your district”, they say, and to this I say, “Hah!” No, I say, “Hah, Hah!!”

“JUST $29.95 a year!” Well imagine if I pay every company for the tool I enjoy using $29.95 a year every year! Do the Math…

“We have the free version”, and the free version sucksess-fully keeps me from giving 20+ kids what they really need.

I know, it’s their companies and they have the right to charge and make a profit, it’s the American way! I  am also aware that I do not have to purchase the product or tool. But understand this, I am one of those teachers.  That teacher that is going to dig among the lint in his/her pocket, swipe that card, and buy that product, in order to offer my students the education I would give my own children. A lot of us are, and maybe that’s why many of these companies start charging after they gauge how many of us would pay.

But, enough venting, I end with a special shout-out, “Woo-hoo” to all those companies, (You know who you are), that offer teachers tools that are still free, (or even give a free version that’s doable), you are appreciated!:)