Comments on: About http://www.edukindle.com Kindle for Educators Sun, 21 Feb 2010 01:33:57 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: willd http://www.edukindle.com/about/comment-page-1/#comment-323 willd Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:06:49 +0000 http://www.edukindle.com/?page_id=28#comment-323 Carrye, you might want to check out the group of Kindle educators over at the Ning (edukindle.ning.com). Kathy Parker in Seneca IL is actually reporting results with their students and Kindles in the middle school this year. As for your question, an ereader is one of the least connected devices out there. Just trying to navigate the internet on the Kindle is like watching ice melt and would fall far below your students' requirements for browsing. None of the other currently available readers, like the Sony, even have internet connections. I think you would find students more on task, not less. Carrye, you might want to check out the group of Kindle educators over at the Ning (edukindle.ning.com). Kathy Parker in Seneca IL is actually reporting results with their students and Kindles in the middle school this year. As for your question, an ereader is one of the least connected devices out there. Just trying to navigate the internet on the Kindle is like watching ice melt and would fall far below your students’ requirements for browsing. None of the other currently available readers, like the Sony, even have internet connections. I think you would find students more on task, not less.

]]> By: Carrye http://www.edukindle.com/about/comment-page-1/#comment-320 Carrye Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:09:54 +0000 http://www.edukindle.com/?page_id=28#comment-320 Starting what seems to be the daunting task of reviewing our "no electronics in the classroom" policy around eReaders. We are not ready to move in the direction of classroom sets, but some of our students will be acquiring this technology option soon. I want to be able to allow eReaders in the classroom, but first must ask our district to revise its electronics policy. Also, we currently use the Columbia Reader's Workshop strategy of having students log time/page number for both in-class and out of class independent reading, as well as use sticky notes to practice reading strategies. What pitfalls, if any, should I worry about having eReaders for individual reading in the classroom? Does having an eReader allow for a student to be more easily off-task and "fake" reading? Any insights would be appreciated. Starting what seems to be the daunting task of reviewing our “no electronics in the classroom” policy around eReaders. We are not ready to move in the direction of classroom sets, but some of our students will be acquiring this technology option soon. I want to be able to allow eReaders in the classroom, but first must ask our district to revise its electronics policy. Also, we currently use the Columbia Reader’s Workshop strategy of having students log time/page number for both in-class and out of class independent reading, as well as use sticky notes to practice reading strategies.

What pitfalls, if any, should I worry about having eReaders for individual reading in the classroom? Does having an eReader allow for a student to be more easily off-task and “fake” reading?

Any insights would be appreciated.

]]> By: Kathy Parker http://www.edukindle.com/about/comment-page-1/#comment-287 Kathy Parker Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:21:30 +0000 http://www.edukindle.com/?page_id=28#comment-287 Tiffany Wheeler is our RTI teacher. These are her comments about using the Kindle with her students: RTI students enjoy using the Kindles. Mrs. Parker and I developed a list of Reluctant Reader Titles for the students. Some students have commented they like to use the dictionary feature. I have had some students develop their own vocabulary list for each chapter. Questioning while you read is a skill many RTI students need to developed, so I have as asked students to type "I wonder questions in the footnotes." That is an advantage to a kindle students are a little more motivated to demonstrate thinking while reading instead of using the paper pencil method. This ability to listen to chapters has appealed to some students and it has surprised me to see how many students enlarge the font to a variety of sizes. I'm wondering if this feature is helpful for students with reading weaknesses. The seventh graders are really enjoying "Getting Air". All students are very motivated to read the novels. Mark Giertz is our 7th Grade Language/Literature teacher. These are his thoughts on the Kindle. I have been using my Kindles for silent reading now for about 4 weeks now and the students have been like flies coming in and out of my room before school and after school to read what's next in their story. Many students are finding the Kindle quicker than a regular book and are excited about the access the Kindle has to books of their choice. Steve Novario is our 8th Grade Language/Literature teacher. Here are his comments. My name is Steve Novario and teach eighth grade. I chose the 6 highest GPA's in each of my three sections to use the Kindles first. They love them. There are a few drawbacks that are being addressed. Each of the three students on each Kindle have to read a different book if they are to go to their previous location. Also, I don't give tons of time to read during the day. Because of that fact, we are starting a check-out system. Submitted by Kathy Parker, Librarian @ Seneca Grade School Tiffany Wheeler is our RTI teacher. These are her comments about using the Kindle with her students:
RTI students enjoy using the Kindles. Mrs. Parker and I developed a list of Reluctant Reader Titles for the students. Some students have commented they like to use the dictionary feature. I have had some students develop their own vocabulary list for each chapter. Questioning while you read is a skill many RTI students need to developed, so I have as asked students to type “I wonder questions in the footnotes.” That is an advantage to a kindle students are a little more motivated to demonstrate thinking while reading instead of using the paper pencil method. This ability to listen to chapters has appealed to some students and it has surprised me to see how many students enlarge the font to a variety of sizes. I’m wondering if this feature is helpful for students with reading weaknesses. The seventh graders are really enjoying “Getting Air”. All students are very motivated to read the novels.

Mark Giertz is our 7th Grade Language/Literature teacher. These are his thoughts on the Kindle.
I have been using my Kindles for silent reading now for about 4 weeks now and the students have been like flies coming in and out of my room before school and after school to read what’s next in their story. Many students are finding the Kindle quicker than a regular book and are excited about the access the Kindle has to books of their choice.

Steve Novario is our 8th Grade Language/Literature teacher. Here are his comments.
My name is Steve Novario and teach eighth grade. I chose the 6 highest GPA’s in each of my three sections to use the Kindles first. They love them. There are a few drawbacks that are being addressed. Each of the three students on each Kindle have to read a different book if they are to go to their previous location. Also, I don’t give tons of time to read during the day. Because of that fact, we are starting a check-out system.
Submitted by Kathy Parker, Librarian @ Seneca Grade School

]]> By: Kathy Parker http://www.edukindle.com/about/comment-page-1/#comment-283 Kathy Parker Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:23:19 +0000 http://www.edukindle.com/?page_id=28#comment-283 Thanks for the plug, Will! After some good responses, we are now going to let our 8th graders take home the Kindles they are using in their Lang/Lit classes. I ordered extra thick cases for them. We also have a Kindle Checkout Form ready for parents and students to sign. The excitement is overwhelming for the Kindles! I will be elaborating a bit more as to how the teachers are using them in their classrooms. We are also long-range planning for the upcoming school year! Possibly a "Cadillac" Kindle plan? It's in the works! I will keep you posted. Thanks for the plug, Will! After some good responses, we are now going to let our 8th graders take home the Kindles they are using in their Lang/Lit classes. I ordered extra thick cases for them. We also have a Kindle Checkout Form ready for parents and students to sign. The excitement is overwhelming for the Kindles! I will be elaborating a bit more as to how the teachers are using them in their classrooms. We are also long-range planning for the upcoming school year! Possibly a “Cadillac” Kindle plan? It’s in the works! I will keep you posted.

]]> By: Babar Bhatti http://www.edukindle.com/about/comment-page-1/#comment-187 Babar Bhatti Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:13:50 +0000 http://www.edukindle.com/?page_id=28#comment-187 Can A Low-Cost Version Of Kindle Help Literacy In Developing Countries? I am doing research on this topic and wanted to see your thoughts on it. Can A Low-Cost Version Of Kindle Help Literacy In Developing Countries? I am doing research on this topic and wanted to see your thoughts on it.

]]> By: Kathy Parker http://www.edukindle.com/about/comment-page-1/#comment-106 Kathy Parker Thu, 23 Apr 2009 15:35:46 +0000 http://www.edukindle.com/?page_id=28#comment-106 Our school is in the beginning phases of considering purchasing Kindles for our middle school and high school. Any information such as justifications, uses, schools in Illinois already using them would be greatly appreciated. Thank you! Kathy Parker Our school is in the beginning phases of considering purchasing Kindles for our middle school and high school. Any information such as justifications, uses, schools in Illinois already using them would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
Kathy Parker

]]> By: June Blender http://www.edukindle.com/about/comment-page-1/#comment-83 June Blender Tue, 24 Feb 2009 01:50:28 +0000 http://www.edukindle.com/?page_id=28#comment-83 Great web site, Will. How did you develop for the Kindle? I can't find an SDK. Thanks, JuneB Great web site, Will. How did you develop for the Kindle? I can’t find an SDK.

Thanks,
JuneB

]]> By: stephen williams http://www.edukindle.com/about/comment-page-1/#comment-69 stephen williams Thu, 29 Jan 2009 14:55:54 +0000 http://www.edukindle.com/?page_id=28#comment-69 Hello, I'm developing a novel idea for the Kindle and I'm having trouble finding anyone at Amazon to speak with about the idea. Do you have any suggestions as to who I should speak to -- any people who work on Kindle projects/development? My best, Stephen P. Williams cipres@earthlink.net Hello,
I’m developing a novel idea for the Kindle and I’m having trouble finding anyone at Amazon to speak with about the idea. Do you have any suggestions as to who I should speak to — any people who work on Kindle projects/development?
My best,
Stephen P. Williams
cipres@earthlink.net

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