Ning Price Plans Give Educators Reason to Tweet

Today, the social platform Ning announced new service plans and prices for its networks, including word that a major education company will sponsor entry-level networks for educators.

The news comes two weeks after the company said it would stop offering free networks, which allow educators to collaborate and discuss lessons with each other and students in a walled community.

Ning's decision prompted debates on Twitter about whether educators should rely on tools without paying for them, how to control their information in these online spaces and whether teachers should be entitled to "free" tools. And those discussions continued today during a weekly education conversation on Twitter using the hashtag "edchat." Check out the full transcript on the edchat wiki.

Several people said that educators need to plan ahead, learn to control and own their content through open source software, and become educated consumers. Unless they pay for tools, they may not be around in the future.

Before, Ning did not charge for its basic account, but provided additional services at a cost. If users wanted to keep ads off their network, they paid $5 per month. If they wanted their own domain, they paid $24 per month.

Others said that Ning is a comprehensive site that provides group forums and different ways to collaborate. And that's something teachers will spend money on.

The Ning Mini networks will cost $19.95 per year, and allows educators to add up to 150 members. The education company that will be sponsoring these accounts for educators who choose to accept its offer has not yet been announced. The other two options have additional and new features, and they run about $200 and $500, respectively.

But teachers disagree about whether they should have to pay for services that they use to teach their students and develop professionally. When an educator who uses the handle EduTechSmith said that "nothing in education should cost teachers and students to use," she sparked a conversation about teacher entitlement.

Ning plans to announce more details of the education program at a later date. In July, the three new plans will begin, and current network creators will have 30 days after the rollout date to choose a plan. For those who decide to stop using Ning, the company will provide a simple way to export all of their content.

What will you do?