I often find that in the new Web 2.0 world of “social media” and “communities”, that there are some very flaky business models. I was quite impressed to come across Global Scholar today. Not only are they proposing a very valuable community offering, but they’re also finding a way to monetize it from the early stages – which sometimes isn’t always a good idea. However, what they’re doing is pushing the idea of actually paying for the experience – even if it’s just $1 for the first hour, in order to get people into the idea that not everything online will be free in the future (VC money does run out at some point, and sustainable business models need to be in place by then!).
Global Scholar offers:
* all tutoring occurs on online via chat/audio/whiteboard/curriculum sharing
* all tutoring sessions are recorded and archived with a “playback” option, for students/parents to review
* tutors set their own prices/courses/hours of operation
* GlobalScholar.com background checks every tutor (criminal + education) and trains them on the site
* All tutors need to have a minimum four-year degree
* Users can leave ratings/reviews for tutors
They’re creating a community that has value for all parties – and are charging for it, as it will most definitely have value for a lot of students and parents.
There was quite an interesting article on ReadWriteWeb recently on The Danger of Free, which I highly recommend reading – and which actually inspired this post as I was very comforted to see “Web 2.0″ companies trying to charge for their services. I know… it sounds rich from a guy that’s giving away free websites 
but at least we have a long term plan
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Comments On This Post
January 20, 2008 at 12:30 am
Hey Vinny. Totally agree about the need to have sustainable business models. We’re launching a language learning service at eduFire.com that’s similar to GlobalScholar (with the addition of live interactive video) and are allowing our teachers to set their own prices. We’re hoping to create a model where the students win (lower prices for private instruction) and the teachers win as well (keeping 80-90% of the fees) rather than the 20-30% they’d get working for a tutoring company.
We’re launching in February so hopefully you’ll write about us then.
January 19, 2008 at 10:30 pm
Hey Vinny. Totally agree about the need to have sustainable business models. We’re launching a language learning service at eduFire.com that’s similar to GlobalScholar (with the addition of live interactive video) and are allowing our teachers to set their own prices. We’re hoping to create a model where the students win (lower prices for private instruction) and the teachers win as well (keeping 80-90% of the fees) rather than the 20-30% they’d get working for a tutoring company.
We’re launching in February so hopefully you’ll write about us then.
January 20, 2008 at 11:28 am
Thanks Jon – keep me posted and I certainly will.
January 20, 2008 at 9:28 am
Thanks Jon – keep me posted and I certainly will.
April 5, 2008 at 11:34 pm
I checked out GlobalScholar.com and worked with a provider called Transtutors.com and it really works! Globalscholar.com provides 100’s of tutors for students to work for any subject any level. Man its amazing. Tutor with Transtutors.com was superb. He taught me AP Calculus and i really liked him!
April 5, 2008 at 9:34 pm
I checked out GlobalScholar.com and worked with a provider called Transtutors.com and it really works! Globalscholar.com provides 100’s of tutors for students to work for any subject any level. Man its amazing. Tutor with Transtutors.com was superb. He taught me AP Calculus and i really liked him!
August 30, 2008 at 3:41 pm
hmm intersting site. Thanks!
I found this one http://www.studentteacherexchange.com/ It's new but I think it might take off soon. What do you think?
June 7, 2009 at 6:18 pm
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June 15, 2009 at 10:20 am
Totally agree on the need to have sustainable business models. We are launching a service in language similar to that eduFire.com GlobalScholar (with the addition of live interactive video), and are enabling our teachers to set their own prices. We are hoping to create a model in which students gain (reduction in the price of private education) and teachers and win (keeping 80-90% fee), instead of 20-30% which could get a job tutoring company.
July 2, 2009 at 7:04 am
agree with you
July 2, 2009 at 7:05 am
i have tried it too
July 2, 2009 at 7:07 am
me too
July 2, 2009 at 7:07 am
i don't like study
July 2, 2009 at 7:08 am
it really helpful for me
July 13, 2009 at 10:10 am
thanks admin good post
July 14, 2009 at 11:59 pm
Looks interesting, especially that they are staring to charge right away and not have it free at the launch.
August 7, 2009 at 6:50 am
I think vety good!
August 13, 2009 at 6:03 pm
Oww thanks very loll..as
September 8, 2009 at 7:44 pm
Man its amazing. Tutor with Transtutors.com was superb. He taught me AP Calculus and i really liked him!
September 9, 2009 at 7:13 pm
I am hoping to create a model in which students gain and teachers and win, instead of 20-30% which could get a job tutoring company
September 13, 2009 at 8:27 am
i think it’s a good site, look very interesting !
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