eReaders

eReaders are everywhere - and now they are coming to Newington!

 * Learn more about eReaders: **


 * Check School Library Journal for (almost) monthly articles on eReaders
 * Google //eReaders in school libraries// for more articles and information

OR go to Buffy Hamilton's complete guide to Kindles in education: @http://theunquietlibrary.libguides.com/kindles
 * Check out what others are doing - get answers to your questions - be part of the conversation - join one of the technology education blogs. Suggestions: **
 * edukindle.ning.com - eBook educator's group - //where educators go to learn from one another//
 * theedublogger.com - //Tips, tricks, and help for educators and bloggers using technology//


 * Concerned about //creating an account//? **
 * register (for now) using your Amazon account - or create an account (you will need to use your own credit card for this)
 * DE-register in September, which will clear the Kindle from your transactions
 * Look for directions in September for registering your school with your Kindle.

**Troubleshooting:**
 * Owner's manual
 * Amazon's "Kindle Store"
 * Google //Kindle troubleshooting//
 * See educational technology blogs (above)


 * Your opinion counts! As you explore your eReader, use the table below to record your comments on any and all of the following: **
 * envision how you might use eReaders such as this one in your library media center
 * envision how a teacher might use it(them) in a classroom
 * think about the value added to your program and/or your building
 * note any problems or issues

Also, AASL's Nationwide database of 21st century lessonplans []/ ||
 * NAME || COMMENTS ||
 * Maureen || Interesting article on new Kindle policy for school libraries from SLJ
 * Brian ||  ||
 * Betsy ||  ||
 * Nicole || (See below-- Betsy and I are posting our thoughts from the Sept 2 PD in** purple **) ||
 * Gail ||  ||
 * Jean ||  ||
 * Kate || Love the Kindle . . . concerns include inability to share ebooks across multiple devices (per Buffy Hamilton's article) and overall management of ebooks . . . also concerned about replacing lost, stolen or damaged ereaders. I would envision starting out using an ereader with my reluctant or low level readers and see if it motivates them to read. ||
 * Lisa ||  ||
 * Pamela ||  ||

**Sept. 2 PD - Kindles in the Library Media Center**
Evaluation of the device -- What are the features and how did they work?
 * Please post highlights of your discussion below:**

2. Ability to adjust text size can meet the needs of more students: 3. Added element of privacy: 4. Highlighting and note-taking features encourage active reading. and interaction with the text 5. Read-aloud and dictionary features can support struggling readers. 6. No glare screen. 7. Lengthy preview 8. small size, portable 9. pricing of book is cheaper than print 10. easy interface 11. FB Twitter interface 12. built-in dictionary 13. no clutter everything on one device 14. when you finish a book, there is another available 15. can read on multiple devices 16. automatic shut-off 17. can turn off internet 18. long battery life 19. device price point 20. libraries of ebooksdon't take up space. Instant.21. automatic updating || 1. Lack of page numbers/running percentage could be distracting or discouraging to some.
 * PROs || CONS ||
 * 1. Tech tools make reading "cool".
 * Can enlarge text for vision impaired/special ed.
 * Attractive to students who are intimidated by too many words on a page
 * Other students cannot tell the title/reading level of the book
 * Removes the stigma of reading lower-level books

2. Confusion regarding licensing and the ability to share books across multiple Kindles:
 * Originally, we were told that we could register up to 6 Kindles to one account and share books among them.
 * However, Buffy Hamilton's posts suggest that Amazon may not allow this for long. See her July 27th post regarding Amazon's indecisive policies: [] (Note particularly Buffy's August 20th update in the "comments" section of this post.)
 * Buffy references Overdrive.com in her post. We researched Overdrive a bit ( [] ). See "other devices" below for discussion.

3. Expense vs. relative delicacy of the device-- potential for damage! Needs a cover and need a light to read in bed. 4. Screen is not visually appealing 5. No color images 6. graphics are poor 7. not able to handle interactive content 8. Limited to one vendor- Amazon 9. **did we get lemons? issues with the screen** 10. limited Internet - mostly a one function/dedicated reader || Benefits of using this device at your level? How could this be used at your level?

MIDDLE SCHOOL: The note-taking and highlighting feature of the Kindle could be utilized by literature circles. Students reading and discussing the same book would be able to share their ideas and it looks like the teacher could just read the notes even without a Kindle. I am not sure of the logistics, but I did see it mentioned in an article and this bears future research. BUT the Kindles would have to by synched for this feature to work which means that all the books are on the same page. Which would be a problem for different readers! Another advantage would be for struggling and reluctant readers. Students can adjust the text size and spacing and number of words per page; they can define unknown words without leaving the page and perhaps most importantly, only the reader knows what book they are reading. Students reading far below grade level will not have to worry that anyone else would know this.

High School - contemporary titles immediately.

Elementary - Can rethink the book room - can house current materials in clean formats. Management/logistics Can use for Nutmeg titles. Introduction to 21st century platforms in prep for high school. Collaboration with reading consultant/classroom teachers an inroad.

Implementation Considerations?

1. **Images:** How are within-text images treated? The trend in YA literature is to incorporate more images (e.g. Wimpy Kid) into the text. We need to explore how well the kindle incorporates these images into the text.
 * Also very important for elementary AND reference materials.
 * For this reason, Nook Color may be a better choice

2. **Multiple Devices and Synchronicity:** It may be possible to register up to 6 devices under the same account and therefore circulate the same title 6 times. This would be a positive because we can circulate a title 6 time but only pay for it once. However, when multiple Kindles are registered to the same account, they synchronize with each other to display the most recent page read. If we have students reading the same book on different kindles, they will synchronize to each other and change the page each student is on. Without page numbers, student may continue reading with out even knowing they have missed portions of the text, causing serious confusion.
 * Can the synchronizing feature be turned off? YES!! I found an article that describes the process:
 * "So, synchronization is a great feature for the individual consumer/reader, but raises a special problem for teachers who want to load six copies of a book onto six different Kindles in their account for six different students to read. What to do?" []

3. **Logistics:**
 * Who will be responsible for purchasing the devices? The books? Would the devices be considered computer technology, and therefore be under the technology budget?
 * How will we handle lost or damaged devices? We have enough trouble getting students to replace a $9.99 book!
 * Buffy Hamilton designed a parent-student "Permissions and Acceptable Use Form." We should definitely consider something similar: []

__Other devices to consider (and reasons why) ? (ipad, nook, etc?)__

Better display/integration of pictures? Color images? Ability to purchase managize subscriptions Circulation? Great for reluctant readers - where do these make sense -- classroom sets? esp. at elementary where they likely will not circulate - where is the management
 * Nook: **
 * Important for elementary and YA lit, as well as reference materials (maps, graphs, diagrams, etc)
 * May provide a way to integrate eReader technology while keeping the devices in-house
 * With 25 device minimum in the district, purchases can be made by P.O. and managed by Barnes & Noble (Great feature!)
 * iPad: **

**Overdrive.com:** From the FAQs: [] "OverDrive provides your school with a “school download library,” a branded website that allows students 24/7 online access to a digital collection of eBooks and audiobooks that your school selects from a vast catalog of tens of thousands of titles. Students browse your collection and check out titles online, and download to enjoy offline. Students can download titles to a personal PC and Mac®, and transfer to MP3 players, eBook readers, and other portable devices. We also now offer apps for direct download to Android™ phones and tablets, iPhone®, iPad®, BlackBerry®, and Windows® Phone."

Based on this description, it seems as if this would be an avenue to explore. It would allow us to provide access to eBooks and audiobooks without locking ourselves in to a specific platform. Students could use their own preferred tech devices to access and read the materials. We could, of course, also purchase Kindles (or Nooks, etc) to complement this service for students who do not have their own device.

However, this service is cost-prohibitive!!!!! Also From the FAQs: "**How much does School Download Library cost?** Pricing for the School Download Library service starts at just $4,000 per year (including $2,000 worth of eBooks and/or audiobooks) for an individual school or a district of up to 2,000 students. For pricing for a larger district, please contact the OverDrive Sales Team at 216-573-6886 Ext. 4, or sales@overdrive.com.  The annual service fee includes an annual collection credit, funds on account with OverDrive, which is used to purchase titles for your digital collection. Yes, your school can make a one-time addition to your collection credit or budget additional funding annually.  You would be able to purchase approximately 150-200 eBooks.  Titles start as low as $1 with eBooks averaging around $12 and audiobooks around $35 per title. When you purchase a title, it remains in your digital collection for as long as you continue the service. One exception covers titles from HarperCollins, which now have checkout limits."
 * Does the annual service fee for School Download Library include titles? Can our school add funds to the collection credit? **
 * How many eBook titles would I be able to purchase with a $2,000 Collection Credit? **
 * What is the average cost of an OverDrive title? Are there any additional fees or is this a one-time cost? **

So, the important questions is, are these other (less expensive) services that provide comparable level of access across devices? This requires more research.

How do we evaluate ebooks for purchase?

Over the summer, Betsy explored the "preview" feature, which allows ouy to read the first 1-2 chapters of any book in the amazon collection. She found this to be an excellent way to evaluate the books before purchasing.

How do we want to build ebook collections? Reference? Fiction?

Are you familiar with Lucy Robbins Welles ebook collection? @http://www.newingtonct.gov/content/78/118/136/3359/14486.aspx

//**Nooks/Kindles etc.**// New Nook Tablet Info Sheet CNN Article
 * More News:**

//**Overdrive**//

[] [] Overdrive Blog and Links to Schools