As a teacher, I am always looking for new ways to engage my students in my classroom. Technology is already a huge part of my students’ lives as evidenced by hand-held gaming devices, cell phones, and iPods/mp3 players. I decided to take the plunge and explore a more educational approach. I invested some time in looking into the Kindle Fire and how it could be used in my classroom.
Recently I was able to check out a Kindle Fire from my school library. I was skeptical about its use and place in my classroom. After all, I had heard rumors that the new iPad3 would be out soon, and I was familiar with the iPod touch. Learning a whole new platform did not sound like fun or something that I wanted to take on.
However, after checking out a Kindle Fire, my opinions soon changed. I spent some time getting familiar with the device. The librarian had downloaded some books that would be appropriate for my 5th grade class onto the Kindle. I was able to find the interactive bookshelf, click on a title, and learn how to page through the book. I found myself opening each of the books and just familiarizing myself with how to read from a hand-held device.
I was surprised at how my lack of technological skills could easily navigate the Kindle Fire. I decided to allow my students to “test run” the device as part of our Daily 5 instruction during our English Language Arts block. I made a simple checkout sheet, and placed it on the ledge in my classroom. I then introduced the device to my students and showed them the basics of how to operate it, and how to get to the books. So many hands shot up when I asked for volunteers to sign up to use the Kindle Fire, that I had to pick sticks with names on to fill in the three 20 minutes slots for each day of the week. There were so many hands, I promised the students that did not get picked that they would have a chance next week!
As I worked with groups of students during the Daily 5, I took glances at the students that were using the Kindle Fire. To my surprise, they were engaged and on task the entire 20 minute block of time. At the end of the week we had a class discussion about the pros and cons of the device in our classroom. Here was a list of some of the pros: easy to use, fun, makes books come alive, easy to hold, I had stamina (stayed on task) for the whole time, I felt like I was in the world of the book I was reading, and I didn’t want my time to end. The only con we came up with was: not enough devices for the whole class to use in a week.
The only “con” that my class came up with really bothered me. I had seen how excited they were to use the Kindle Fire as an educational tool to practice reading, but to not be able to provide my students with that opportunity, ate at me as I headed home from school Friday night. After talking over finances with my wife, I went to a local retail store and purchased three Kindle Fires for my classroom.
Now I will begin the process of downloading books, and eventually educational apps for my students to use. I am excited about this venture, and I look forward to engaging my students even more. I feel like a kid again and can’t wait to see their faces on Monday!
Stay tuned for future blogs as I learn more about the Kindle Fire and it’s educational benefits in the classroom.
I am very interested to read about the other ways that use the Kindle Fire in your classroom. It is exciting to see that kids are excited about reading. Reading posts like these make me want to have my own classroom again.
ReplyDeleteThinking Out Loud
Thanks, it will be a learning experience, but it is one that I am looking forward to!
DeleteThank you for posting this because I've been considering getting one myself. Now, I know that I am definitely going to take the plunge and get one too and I like the that the only con was that you students needed more Kindles to go around! That's technology for you! Students love the novelty of a new 'gizmo'. I can only imagine how much difference it would make if all children had such an opportunity!
ReplyDeleteNyla's Crafty Teaching
Yes, with my 3 and the one from the library my 23 students will be able to use them at least twice a week during our reading block. That would be great if every student could have one!
DeleteThanks for the information! I just passed it along to my fans. You sound like a very dedicated teacher to have purchased them for your classroom. I know that the excitement and joy those items will bring to your classroom are well worth the financial cost. Have you thought of going for a DonorsChoose grant to get more? If you do, let me know so I can help!
ReplyDeleteThanks Laura,
DeleteThat sounds like a great idea! The only problem is time right now. Is it easy to fill out for a grant?
I use my sons' Kindle keyboards (2), my Fire, my pink phone, and my pink netbook during our reading block. I am trying really hard to engage them with the use of technology.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if Kindle/Amazon would be willing to fund a classroom with 6 Fires and books to go with them?????
I was able to get Nook Color through Donorschoose. I did not see the Kindle in any of the vendors that you can go directly through on Donorschoose but if you have enough points, you can go to other vendors. I've never gone that route so I am not sure how it works. The Nook Color is also $199. Once we get them, I'll be able to compare it to my son's Kindle Fire and let you know how they stack up.
ReplyDeleteI am excited to hear what your thoughts are!
DeleteA friend in Oklahoma told me of some high schools that purchased Kindles for their entire school. The admin asked the students to rent them for the year, and the students paid a down-payment that basically served as their "insurance," should something happen to the Kindle during the school year. All textbooks were uploaded onto the Kindles, and students could download all the classics for free for their LA classes. I thought it was extremely interesting! I'm not sure how the logistics work out (how do students have the ability to download? Does the school leave the credit cards activated on the accounts? Eek!), but the concept itself is fascinating. I strongly believe that eBooks are inevitable, and I commend you for taking the plunge with your students! Please keep us updated as to how it works out in your class!
ReplyDeleteI NEED TO KNOW WHAT SCHOOL YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT! We are getting ready to hand them to our HS kids and I have so many questions. Thanks for your post!
DeleteThanks Mrs. K!
ReplyDeleteThere is a lot to learn about how to use them in the classroom. I know some of my students have e readers at home, but I am hesitant to allow them to bring them into the school for fear of not knowing what apps are on them. That is something I will look into as well.
Thanks for the resource - shared it on Twitter!
ReplyDeleteErin Klein
http://www.kleinspiration.com
I have two eReaders (Kobo readers - Canadian equivalent of the Kindle). I recently purchased the second one because I enjoyed having the first one so much. When I only had one, I used it under the document camera so it would project the book I was reading orally to the whole class. This little change completely changed my read aloud time - because the students could follow along, they became so much more engaged! I also recently bought an iPad2 to use in my classroom - the kids LOVE using the apps. Again, I put it under the document camera, but my husband bought me something that will help me hook it up through the laptop so it projects to my SMARTboard. Can't wait until he hooks it up!
ReplyDeleteJen
Runde's Room
Jen, that is great! Thanks for your dedication to your students! I like the idea about the read aloud!
ReplyDelete