[CALIBK12] Considering Playaways

Thu Nov 1 22:48:22 PDT 2007

We are looking at the same thing. I just got approval to purchase
$1000 worth of Playaways geared toward the Special Ed and EL
populations at a large high school. Even though MP3 players would be
more affordable, I'd be concerned that since they could be used for
downloading other things like music files that it would conflict with
our school policy against having them on campus at all (even though
they can definatly serve educational purposes-read your most recent
SLJ)

I like the idea that these players are adjustable in speed so slower
readers can follow along. I'm not sure all MP3 players can do that.
Also, if they lost them or damaged them so they didn't work, I'd just
charge like I would a textbook, full price.

On 11/1/07, Yvonne Weinstein <mrsweinstein at fastmail.fm> wrote:
> Yes, this is what we've been doing at our school. Check the ebay stores
> for low price players. You only need very very low capacity players.
> And there are many titles available from Audible.com.
>
> On Thu, 01 Nov 2007 08:13:47 -0700, "Jane Brooks"
> <jbrooks at lbusd.k12.ca.us> said:
> > If you want a larger selection of titles, buy MP3 players and pay to
> > download titles from Audiobooks.  It is more economical to do that
> > anyway.  I bought players for 50% off at Best Buy the day after
> > Thanksgiving -or the day of? - when they had a big sale.  I asked the
> > day before if they could be saved for a school, but the answer was "no".
> >  However, they told me that they had 400 in stock and suggested that I
> > go in about 10 a.m.  So no, I didn't get in line at 3:00 a.m. as many
> > do.
> >
> > Jet Blue recycles their headphones.  Call ahead and ask them to save
> > some for you.  (Take a friend who can dash in so that you won't have to
> > park.)
> >
> > Playaways take AAA.  However, if you have need of AA batteries, ask
> > Costco or a camera shop to give you the batteries out of the one-shot
> > cameras.  They will last a long, long time. This is especially good if
> > you use AlphaSmart word processors.
> >
> > Jane Brooks
> > Library Media Teacher
> > Cabrillo High School
> > 2001 Santa Fe Avenue
> > Long Beach, CA 90810
> >
> > 562/951-7736
> >
> >
> > >>> <sharono761 at aol.com> 11/01/07 8:45 AM >>>
> >
> > Dear Colleagues..
> >      We have Playaways at one of my Middle School Libraries. We
> > purchased only 10 since they are expensive..Most of the ones we
> > purchased are higher reading level. They have taken off like wildfire.
> >
> > Our teachers do require though that the student have the printed book,
> >
> > also. In our school, I-Pods are banned but not the Playaways...our
> > Principal and SSC (through which I got the money) approved the Playaway
> >
> > earbuds for school use.
> > We barcoded them just like a book...but keep them in a special
> > place...actually, they are out all the time, so we don't really need to
> >
> > keep them any place!!
> >
> > We have a huge waiting list for Eraqon, Eldest, especially. I visited
> > the Playaway booth at AASL and had some of my questions answered. Like
> >
> > will HP and the Deathly Hallows ever be on a Playaway? Probably not,
> > because of the copyright with Scholastic.
> >
> > Great PR for the library..they are very "in" with the kids. How they
> > would work at elementary, I am not sure. But they should. I,
> > personally, do not worry about loss so much..I consider it "the cost of
> >
> > doing business."
> > (My policy is to check out anything that he/she can carry!)
> >
> > Great excitement...and that is what we want..kids excited about the
> > library!!!!!
> >
> > Sharon Stockdale
> > LMT
> > 2 middle schools
> > Madera, CA
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: DeAnn21 at aol.com
> > To: calibk12 at listproc.sjsu.edu
> > Sent: Wed, Oct 31  10:59 PM
> > Subject: [CALIBK12] Considering Playaways
> >
> >
> > Greetings all!
> >
> > My library received an unexpected donation of $1,000.00  I'm toying
> > with the idea of using the funds to purchase Playaways. I thought I
> > might use them as a way to introduce some classics and more challenging
> >
> > reading to my students by exploiting the novelty factor. Most of my
> > students are economically disadvantaged and most do not own electronic
> >
> > "gadgets, or have them in their home.
> >
> > So, please, I'm looking for what works, and what doesn't work, with
> > these. Basically, the good, the bad, and the ugly. Especially, in an
> > elementary school setting. Problems I can anticipate and what you did
> > to minimize, or eliminate them. Tips that you can pass on to me are
> > welcome. Do you think they enhance your library program?
> >
> > Thank you in advance.
> >
> >
> > DeAnn Campbell
> > Julius Corsini Elementary School
> > Palm Springs Unified School District
> >
> >
> >
> > See what's new at AOL.com and Make AOL Your
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> >
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> >
> >
> >
> > ________________________________________________________________________
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> >
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> >
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> >
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> >
> Yvonne Weinstein
> www.mrsw.info
> Library Media Teacher
> Matthew Gage Middle School
> Riverside, CA
>
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-- 
Sarah Bosler, LMT
Montclair High School
Chaffey Joint Union High School District
http://mohigh.com