Ebooks and ereaders in primary schools

[kaphc]

A couple of my schools are keen to engage reluctant readers by using ebooks, either via purchased Kindles or via the Kindle app on iPads. In theory it sounds like a great idea, but it also opens up queries such as:

 

- what books are there actually out there for 5 - 11s?

- is it best to purchase outright or go for a hire system such as RM Books - or whatever else is out there?

- how best to handle the license restrictions and get books on multiple devices?

 

If anyone has any experience or comments on what they've found to be useful, I'd really appreciate it!

 

Cheers

[cullingsh]

I have a school with some Kindles. Not sure what version. The main problem is that there isn't anywhere to put in a proxy server, so someone has to take them home to update them. I think this is resolved in the newer Kindle Fire HD though.

 

I'm not sure what books they have as I don't get involved with that side of it.

[funkyfin2000]

I've got to be honest Katherine, this further adds to the argument about RM Unify!

 

RM Books is included as a SSO app - therefore all users are automatically logged in and provisioned in to this service if used by RM Unify. It's far more flexible than Kindles as you have minimal management overhead and the books are all wholly educational content with full glossy pictures and aligned correctly for children to read from.

 

Again we have released this with over 50 schools now and they love the flexibility the system brings with the amount of books that are on offer. Quite a number are looking at reducing their spend on a Council schools library service to invest in using RM Books. I believe their are other systems out there from people like MLS etc but they require a large overhead to get started whereas if you don't use RM Unify you can get started with RM Books for free to try it out.

 

Any questions give us a shout

 

Rich

[kaphc]

Funnily enough, I had had a quick look at RM Books - using it as a standalone without integrating into RM Unify.

 

I've also found Oxford Owl which looks pretty useful and tablet-friendly and is free!

[funkyfin2000]

Oxford Owl is a good one for sure - but no depth of publishers I guess to give you a broad range.

 

I would also like to see OO in Unify with SSO!