Offering free courses isn't free

[joan_york]

I've noticed that many institutions' catalogs offer free courses to the public.  We are developing a new catalog and would like to offer free courses so customers can try before they buy.   Also, we'd like to offer some as a public service.

However, that would mean that we would be out around $18 in user and enrollment fees every time someone enrolled in a free course.  I am wondering if there is a way to get around the fees.  Or maybe a way to justify the cost.

[jsowalsk]

You can select and remove the free of fee on the listing by selecting the checkbox Hide "Free" Banner and Text maybe that could help? and put the description in the course description.

[jscarlson]

Maybe put this item on our upcoming Canvas Catalog Users Group agenda for some brainstorming.

As Jessica mentioned, you can take the free banner off the course tile. But there are internal fees and costs incurred by our institutions for use of Canvas/Catalog that are not charged back to users.

NOTE: WORKING REMOTELY, RESPONSES MAY BE DELAYED

Janet Carlson, PHR, SHRM-CP

Program Coordinator

Kansas State University Global Campus

Online/Noncredit Professional Development Programs

1615 Anderson Avenue, #114 (Note: mail received once/week)

Manhattan, KS 66502

785-532-2494 (Note: voice mail is checked once/day; response will be delayed)

Harmony| Achiever | Discipline | Deliberative | Empathy

[ststratoti]

Hi there!

We're just starting with our Canvas Catalog implementation and I just came across this post. Are you saying that canvas charges you a certain amount per registration? We didn't see any signs of this in our contract. I'm trying to understand where the $18 comes from.

Thanks!

[joan_york]

They charge user fees for any users that don’t have OSU credentials. The fee includes registration, support and Studio. Those with OSU credentials are already covered by our main Canvas contract.

[ststratoti]

So what happens if an existing student accidentally signs up for a new account with their personal email instead of realizing that they can log in with OSU credentials?

Is this this a 1-time charge per user upon initial registration? What if they register an account but don't enroll in any courses?

[joan_york]

Hi again Steve,

Sorry it’s taken me so long. We are in the process of launching our catalogs.

Unfortunately, I don’t know exactly how the charges work. It seems like we were told two different things. I’d suggest you try to get these answers from your contact at Instructure.

My understanding is that we will be charged user fees for registrations with any non-OSU emails, accidental or not.

Good luck,

Joan