Comments on: Kindles in the classroom: World history teacher is sold on the K machine http://www.teleread.org/2008/09/15/kindles-in-the-classroom-world-history-teacher-is-sold-on-the-k-machine/ News & views on e-books, libraries, publishing and related topics Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:03:27 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Scott Bloom http://www.teleread.org/2008/09/15/kindles-in-the-classroom-world-history-teacher-is-sold-on-the-k-machine/comment-page-1/#comment-1085335 Scott Bloom Wed, 24 Jun 2009 02:40:13 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/09/15/kindles-in-the-classroom-world-history-teacher-is-sold-on-the-k-machine/#comment-1085335 I am about to implement ten Kindles in our elementary Title I classrooms. Our teachers are excited about the possibility of having so many different texts that are available to our students. One of the key features that make the Kindle so attractive is the ability to download multiple copies of texts onto all ten Kindles. This allows me to purchase on text and share it with multiple students. My teachers and I are meeting this week to purchase books for the Kindles. I will update this process as it unfolds. I am about to implement ten Kindles in our elementary Title I classrooms. Our teachers are excited about the possibility of having so many different texts that are available to our students. One of the key features that make the Kindle so attractive is the ability to download multiple copies of texts onto all ten Kindles. This allows me to purchase on text and share it with multiple students.
My teachers and I are meeting this week to purchase books for the Kindles. I will update this process as it unfolds.

]]> By: pond http://www.teleread.org/2008/09/15/kindles-in-the-classroom-world-history-teacher-is-sold-on-the-k-machine/comment-page-1/#comment-907221 pond Tue, 16 Sep 2008 15:50:35 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/09/15/kindles-in-the-classroom-world-history-teacher-is-sold-on-the-k-machine/#comment-907221 I agree with DR: the most striking thing about the use of Kindles in this classroom is NOT ebook reading but netbook/MID usage. The XO from OLPC would do the same, but with color. Ditto the iPhone or any netbook, all assuming the school has WiFi, which the Kindle doesn't need. This reaffirms Amazon's cleverness/foresight/wisdom in including the wireless access and rss reading and internet browsing in the ebook device. You could not do what is being done in this classroom with a Sony Reader. At the same time, this approach ignores Amazon's Kindle store and their desire to sell books under their proprietary DRM on the 'one-click' model. Amazon is subsidizing these devices as it pays for the internet access. I can't think Amazon would be overly pleased at this. I agree with DR: the most striking thing about the use of Kindles in this classroom is NOT ebook reading but netbook/MID usage. The XO from OLPC would do the same, but with color. Ditto the iPhone or any netbook, all assuming the school has WiFi, which the Kindle doesn’t need.

This reaffirms Amazon’s cleverness/foresight/wisdom in including the wireless access and rss reading and internet browsing in the ebook device. You could not do what is being done in this classroom with a Sony Reader.

At the same time, this approach ignores Amazon’s Kindle store and their desire to sell books under their proprietary DRM on the ‘one-click’ model. Amazon is subsidizing these devices as it pays for the internet access. I can’t think Amazon would be overly pleased at this.

]]> By: David Rothman http://www.teleread.org/2008/09/15/kindles-in-the-classroom-world-history-teacher-is-sold-on-the-k-machine/comment-page-1/#comment-907046 David Rothman Tue, 16 Sep 2008 12:18:03 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/09/15/kindles-in-the-classroom-world-history-teacher-is-sold-on-the-k-machine/#comment-907046 Greg, I've had similar thoughts. In fact, the <a href="http://www.teleread.org/computerworld.htm" rel="nofollow">original TeleRead proposal</a>, appearing in Computerworld on July 6, 1992, suggested a mix of a tablet and a keyboard--with the screen able to be used without the KB: <blockquote>You can prop up your TeleReader screen on a table using a built-in stand, place the keyboard on your desk for extended work sessions or detach the screen for comfortable reading.</blockquote> Meanwhile I'm sorry that people in Australia wanting Kindles can't get them. Of course, this is another argument against proprietary formats or at least linking them to hardware. Australians are deprived not only of access to the machine but also to the books that only it can display. Thanks, David Greg, I’ve had similar thoughts. In fact, the original TeleRead proposal, appearing in Computerworld on July 6, 1992, suggested a mix of a tablet and a keyboard–with the screen able to be used without the KB:

You can prop up your TeleReader screen on a table using a built-in stand, place the keyboard on your desk for extended work sessions or detach the screen for comfortable reading.

Meanwhile I’m sorry that people in Australia wanting Kindles can’t get them. Of course, this is another argument against proprietary formats or at least linking them to hardware. Australians are deprived not only of access to the machine but also to the books that only it can display.

Thanks,
David

]]> By: Greg Schofield http://www.teleread.org/2008/09/15/kindles-in-the-classroom-world-history-teacher-is-sold-on-the-k-machine/comment-page-1/#comment-906481 Greg Schofield Mon, 15 Sep 2008 23:40:53 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/09/15/kindles-in-the-classroom-world-history-teacher-is-sold-on-the-k-machine/#comment-906481 <b>David</b>: <blockquote>"Meanwhile that’s an interesting observation on the value of dedicated readers without distractions such as games. That certainly has occurred to me, even though I think the real future is in multiuse devices. But there’ll be room for both."</blockquote> As I read through this I kept thinking of the new flexible matrix 10.7 inch device due next year. Anyhow we cannot get Kindles in Australia. The thought that struck me that the robust screen, the suspected price, the size of the display all add up to a perfect student reader. Eink is still a good few years away from being a computer monitor, and this device is nowhere near pocket size. However, a fairly naked reader device has long term virtues even if monitors and eink at some stage converge. That is the monitor is a device in its own right, it displays things whether connected to something else or not. Just an idea, more about modular devices rather than single multi-use devices (putting what you need together, rather than having a number of discrete devices which do some things well and not others). My first thought was my scanner, which really requires very little computer other than a HD storage and of course a viewer for the scans with some simple task buttons. I use it intermittently but intensely when I do use it. A modular design would be a portable HD and a eink screen, but none of them dedicated to task. Perhaps the way that things should be looked at is via minimal functionality, rather than piling everything into a single device. David:

“Meanwhile that’s an interesting observation on the value of dedicated readers without distractions such as games. That certainly has occurred to me, even though I think the real future is in multiuse devices. But there’ll be room for both.”

As I read through this I kept thinking of the new flexible matrix 10.7 inch device due next year. Anyhow we cannot get Kindles in Australia.

The thought that struck me that the robust screen, the suspected price, the size of the display all add up to a perfect student reader.

Eink is still a good few years away from being a computer monitor, and this device is nowhere near pocket size. However, a fairly naked reader device has long term virtues even if monitors and eink at some stage converge. That is the monitor is a device in its own right, it displays things whether connected to something else or not.

Just an idea, more about modular devices rather than single multi-use devices (putting what you need together, rather than having a number of discrete devices which do some things well and not others).

My first thought was my scanner, which really requires very little computer other than a HD storage and of course a viewer for the scans with some simple task buttons. I use it intermittently but intensely when I do use it. A modular design would be a portable HD and a eink screen, but none of them dedicated to task.

Perhaps the way that things should be looked at is via minimal functionality, rather than piling everything into a single device.

]]> By: David Rothman http://www.teleread.org/2008/09/15/kindles-in-the-classroom-world-history-teacher-is-sold-on-the-k-machine/comment-page-1/#comment-906278 David Rothman Mon, 15 Sep 2008 18:57:39 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/09/15/kindles-in-the-classroom-world-history-teacher-is-sold-on-the-k-machine/#comment-906278 Thanks, Joe. It's not that often we read about Kindles in K-12, so I'm grateful for your account. How did you feel about Chris's current emphasis on the Kindle for Web browsing? I was hoping to hear that he'd lent at least one of the Kindles out to a student for reading of relevant books. Were the Kindles the best solution here? The kids could do their Web browsing from desktops with color screen and faster browsers. Am I missing something? Will welcome your thoughts? Meanwhile that's an interesting observation on the value of dedicated readers without distractions such as games. That certainly has occurred to me, even though I think the real future is in multiuse devices. But there'll be room for both. David Thanks, Joe. It’s not that often we read about Kindles in K-12, so I’m grateful for your account.

How did you feel about Chris’s current emphasis on the Kindle for Web browsing? I was hoping to hear that he’d lent at least one of the Kindles out to a student for reading of relevant books. Were the Kindles the best solution here? The kids could do their Web browsing from desktops with color screen and faster browsers. Am I missing something? Will welcome your thoughts?

Meanwhile that’s an interesting observation on the value of dedicated readers without distractions such as games. That certainly has occurred to me, even though I think the real future is in multiuse devices. But there’ll be room for both.

David

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