Save Paper -- Go Wireless!

I don't usually do product reviews, so please know that when I do, it's because I am absolutely GIDDY over the product.

I was really happy because last week I found out I have received a $1000 grant I had applied for from our local Public Education Foundation. The grant was to allow me to purchase Kindles for my classroom. Kindles are those wireless e-book readers from Amazon. Our district is really pushing infusing technology in the classrooms, and of course innovative thinking and blah blah blah, but our school does not get any of those 'federal' dollars, so our budget can be tight, especially for technology. So, back to being giddy.

The Kindles came in today, and I immediately cracked open a box. Ironically enough, as I was working on this I had the kids reading books at their seat. Those centuries old wads of paper with actual ink. How archaeic.

Okay let's talk tech.

I had read that the Kindle uses a specific ink program designed to look more like the printing in books, rather than like what we are used to on a computer or television screen. It really does look just like a book. There is minimal glare, and you don't have to worry about being in too much light, or being at the wrong angle to see what is there. On the contrary, just like a book, you will need a book light to read by when there is minimal light because the background is not lit, so you will not be able to see the 'page'. I do not have the Kindle DX which is a bit larger, I believe the ones I bought are the 6" ones, and they seem just fine.

A feature I love for my classroom, is that there is text-speech capabilities. Meaning, you could have a computerized voice --either male or female, you choose -- read your text to you. A feature I probably wouldn't use if I was personally reading, but great for some of my students. There is also a dictionary feature. If you don't know a word, you can look it up and it is put right across the bottom of the screen. I think of how many words I never looked up because I was too lazy to walk my butt to a dictionary and go through that whole process. How painful!

Before some of you out there start freaking out about me promoting the death of the printing industry, newspapers, and the integrity of books in general, let me assure you of something: I am not saying the Kindle should replace all books. For example, children's books -- no. Or any other book with illustration. However, for people who travel or like to have a book in their bag, purse, diaper bag whatever, this is much lighter and easier to carry. How many times has the bookmark fallen out of your book in a bag?

I could go on and on, but I won't, unless you ask for more info., then I will. I just wanted to take this moment to let you know: I love this thing. If you are considering one, go for it. No, it's not something you'll want to curl up on the couch with, or take to that fluffy pillow in your bedroom, but if you ever read --or have ever wanted to read -- anything outside of the comforts of your own home bookshelf, consider this. And then let me know what you think.

And if anyone out there uses a Kindle in their classroom, please let me know how you use it!