Electronic Books on Handheld Devices @VanceS @timholt2007
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Today, someone asked me, “I want to use a Kindle e:Reader for my school but I’m told it might violate CIPA. Is this true?”
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My emailed response ended up like this but I’m not sure I was absolutely on target. Any suggestions for improving my response? Thanks in advance to a tweet from VanceS:
Here’s the email I sent:
This is a follow-up email to the phone conversation I had with one of your team earlier today in regards to a recent request to purchase Kindle eReader devices for use in your District. Some objections arise when considering the Kindle or Nook.
OBJECTION #1 - UNFILTERED WIRELESS ACCESS
The Kindle—because it has its own built-in way (3G Internet) of accessing the Internet—is prohibited from use in K-12 settings as a result of the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). The main objection is the independent Internet connection. If the Kindle eReader sold as a Wireless (WiFi) device, there would be no issue since it would depend on the District’s filtered wireless Internet connection.
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OBJECTION #2 - REQUIRES CREDIT CARD
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The Kindle is a single user device and as such, it requires entry of a credit card. Purchases of books must be done through a credit card purchase via the Kindle. Managing these purchases via the Kindle would involve some logistical issues. Other districts in Texas that have pursued this have encountered this problem because the user’s credit card is wide open for purchasing content—inappropriate or not—through Amazon.com.
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POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVES
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Some alternatives that came to mind, although your District may not support them yet, during brainstorming included the following, although they may be a little more expensive:
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1. Purchase a netbook and then take advantage of
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free audio and text-based books available (large list online). You can
get text-based books online at Baen Books (http://www.baen.com/library/).
Here is a short list of audio books:
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Librivox.org, the main source for audio books
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3. iPad (WiFi version) - This is the new Apple iPad that allows you
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to access a variety of resources.
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4. Dell Mini 5 or Streak - More about it online at http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/11/dell-mini-5-we-have-it/
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Since it runs the Android Operating System, it has access to rich variety of audio and text-based books available for free.
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5. iPod Touch device - Allows you to access free books on it, although the screen is smaller than the the previous items above. Use the free Stanza to get over 10,000 books you can read on the device.
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As we become aware of more options, I will be sure to share those with
you now that I know you are seeking them.
Everything posted on Miguel Guhlin’s blogs/wikis are his personal opinion and do not necessarily represent the views of his employer(s) or its clients. Read Full Disclosure