To think that priced resources have ruined TES?

[SeamusMacDubh]

I've been on maternity leave/looking after my DC for the last 2 years, in that time TES has given resource creators the option to charge. I've just had a quick search for some resources and almost everything costs! Hardly any free resources at all. AIBU to think that TES is now ruined?!?

You are right! Get on twitter - the great souls over there share by Dropbox

It is annoying. I don't know who pays for the resources when you can't see them before buying. I've found some good free ones for my subjects though, so maybe social scientists are tight and refuse to pay

My colleague paid for a set of resources as she was struggling to start off and thought the bits she'd found would be a start. Big mistake on her part as the resources were no where near worth the asking cost and required a lot of editing. Suppose it is a way of putting off people that only take from TES and don't share materials they've made/modified in return.

I use google to find the free stuff. As in search for 'topic Tes' as actually searching on the TES site takes you to the paid stuff first but google generally takes you to the free stuff.

Occasionally TES have an offer for free credit and I always use the codes for that. But most of the paid for stuff I've downloaded as a result has been crap-definitely worse than the free stuff. I'd never actually pay any of my own money to download something!

I agree OP.

Fortunately my subject now has a very good google drive group and everyone shares very generously.

I'll not be looking at TES anytime soon.

I prefer teachers pay teachers if I'm buying.

And actually I concur with some of the above opinions - some TES resources are actually not great.

It's lovely that people share them though. Even if they are a wee bit below standard.

There's still a lot of good free stuff, you just need to order by price so all the freebies are at the top. Also some resources aren't categorised correctly.

But the preview shows a lot, but I'd never buy from someone whose resources I hadn't used before.

I second the google drive groups.

This will sound stupid, but "google drive group"?

Fortunately, there's a very busy Facebook group for my subject which provides resources for free. I agree, TES takes the piss, but a colleague has sold her amazing schemes of work on there and too right, she spends hours on them and they're fab!

It's against the spirit of TES as it was originally envisaged. Pfft

The whole place is dead these days.

Seamus - Google Drive is just a drive like any other.

My subject (Secondary, Scotland) has a Google Drive group that shares stuff.

How do you find these groups on google drive? I'm a science teacher if anyone can recommend any groups for resources.

The frustrating thing with TES is that you can't preview materials, I've not bought anything as it's such a gamble. It used to be brilliant!

I have bought a few things from tes and have now learned my lesson. They are mostly awful! Can anyone give any tips on who to follow on Twitter or how to access Google Drive groups?

If you email TES to complain that a resource isn't good, they refund you.

Yes - I hardley go on TES now which is a shame as it used to be great!

I tried a paid resource a few months back for a topic I hadn't taught before - preview didn't show much but what was shown looked good. I paid and downloaded to find that it wasn't good at all.

Not bothered since.

I like it, but then I don't buy, I sell. I've made a small fortune in extra income, especially with revision resources in the run up to exams. I was able to give up private tutoring for it, so now have more time in the evenings back.

Also interested in these Google drive groups. How does one find or join them?

I think it's really sad that selling was introduced. When I first started using TES I loved the idea of teachers sharing resources with each other. It gave the site a community feel, representing what's best about teaching.

My resources are still free (I'm cariad2 over there), but I have to say that I don't visit the site nearly as much as I used to and haven't uploaded anything for ages.

Although I don't like the changes, I've got to admit that if I can't keep going until 67 my retirement plan is to change my resources from free to priced and to start uploading like mad.

I used to use TES to get resources.

But they banned me on the forums for breaking their guidelines - apparently you're not allowed to get annoyed with sexist idiots.

Their moderation is rubbish. You're not even allowed to discuss their moderation. If you discuss it, you get banned.

The new lot there have got rid of all the most interesting posters. Those left on Personal are rolling around like peas in a drum being nice to one another. It is desperate.

I was banned too. Haha