Whoopie! We bought two Amazon Kindles this semester. I will be testing them out over the winter break and plan to write a review for library users and teacher-librarians. Some questions I'll be looking to answer include:
- Is there a backup via Amazon's server for books I order? The Kindle stores a certain amount of data, but it is not infinite. And as we all know, data does get lost. Often.
- Is the read-aloud text feature reliable and actually usable? I've heard text read aloud by machines, and it isn't always pretty.
- How sturdy is the Kindle? I'm thinking in terms of checking it out to students and teachers.
- What is the process for wiping out prior book purchases and then reloading them?
- What are ways that the Kindle might be used with visually impaired students (text size can be increased, but what else might be helpful)?
- How can I integrate this technology into the curriculum?
- How might this device be used with students who have learning disabilities?
I did get over the first hump regarding purchsing the Kindles. Amazon charges sales tax, and will later remove it if you request that they do so. Because we are a public school, we must not allow sales tax to accrue for any items we purchase. I discovered that the process for having sales tax refunded is actually very straighforward and simple with Amazon. I was impressed - if only all financial arrangements in life were so simple...If you want to know whom to contact at Amazon for requesting a sales tax refund for tax-exempt purchases, please contact me. I'll be happy to share what I've learned.
Meanwhile - have a wonderful break, students, teachers and all readers, and enjoy the extra time to try out some new novels and non-fiction. Happy reading!
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