According to this article, 2,000 Clearwater High School students received their Kindle e-book readers that will replace a number of weighty textbooks and allow students to download other books used in class. Indeed the backpacks of these high schools are about to become much lighter. The school board ordered 2,200 Kindles, enough for the 2,160 students enrolled and spares for new students. Each Kindle cost $177.60, a discount from the estimated $200 customers would pay. Also, a traditional English textbook cost $95 but the electric version can be downloaded on the Kindle for $80. Students will be responsible for lost or damaged Kindles, the same way they are for textbooks.
I like the fact that these high schoolers received a Kindle, kids love technology and I think the Kindle is a great option. The tablet-size devices will have electronic versions of texts for math, English and supplemental science. Students can even look at novels, take notes and highlight portions of texts they want to. The device can also read the text aloud in a male or female voice.
According to the article, students can buy insurance for $20 to cover damage or loss of the Kindle. Also, the district, working with Amazon, can track each Kindle and shut it down if it's stolen or show up at a pawn shop, or appears on e-Bay.
As an educator, I think it is exciting to see the students interested in this device. I think it encourages students to explore and learn in new, innovative ways. I also think it is a technological advance, for the Clearwater school and a great way to empower students to be "savvy" with electronics in a classroom setting.
Nicely written up.
ReplyDeleteThank you.