[mcbtcarolina]

I am in the process of writing a grant for technology in my classroom. I am considering tablets for my guided reading groups. I want to be able to have access to books, but also websites to play games that assess the students reading and math skills. Please let me know if you are using either of these and what the benefits and limitations each has. Thank you in advance for your help.

[forever1st]

I was lucky enough to get 4 Kindle fires from Donors Choose a few years ago and they are invaluable. I get most of the same apps that I get on my own mini ipad and I can get websites easily too. They are very kid friendly and I can put time allotments on them for children. I have a first grade room but my kids are multileveled and I can find things for all their needs. And they were much less expensive through Donors than an ipad at the time. I am going to get a few more as it is such a great asset for my learners and there are deals everywhere under $100.

[digitalpiano]

We are considering getting Kindles for our first grade as well but a teacher who has one of her own says she's had nothing but problems with hers. She says she has read reviews on Amazon that mention some of the same problems she has had. She doesn't think they'll hold up. I was just wondering if you've had any problems, forever1st? She's mainly had problems with charging. Our principal will give us 2 Chrome books or 2 Kindles. Just wondering if you think Kindles are
better than Chrome books/small laptops?

[forever1st]

I have had no problems with charging and I use them in both my math and reading centers. I have heard Chrome books are not the way to go but again I do not have them so my info is 3rd hand. I have enjoyed great customer service with Amazon where I get all my books and apps and they help me with all my questions, the few I have. I usually take the 4 home to charge only due to my school shutting down the computers automatically at night so I don't get the full night of charge time. At home, I can do that. I charge them up maybe every 3 days due to their full class use 2 times a day for at least 40-60 minutes each time if not more. And they get use at recess. So they are holding up with a great deal of use.

[digitalpiano]

Sorry mcbtcarolina....I didn't mean to take away from your post. I'm so glad you asked your question because I was wondering the same thing. I wanted to share that I do have 4 iPads that I use daily. For the past four Christmases, my sweet husband has bought one iPad for me. My students LOVE them and they would be my first choice for tablets. However, my district will not support them because they say they are too expensive.

I do have 2 Kindles of my own as well but they are older. I've never personally had any problems with them however my students always choose the iPads first. I appreciate your comments forever1st because I needed another teacher's opinion who had experience with Kindles. I still lost out to the teacher who said Kindles don't hold up so it looks like I'll be getting 2 Chrome books.i. Still, it's nice that I won't be paying for the technology this time.

[StoneSoup]

*Disclaimer: I know nothing about Ipads!

I received a grant last winter for 6 Kindle Fires. My students love them. We use them in reading and math.
I don't let the students plug in the chargers because I know that that can be a problem for some. I have had NO problems with mine. The students use them almost everyday and will work hard to have "free time" on them. I did buy covers for them. The students were given rules on how to use them and if they aren't following the rules they know they are grounded from the Kindles (length of time is determined by violation).
I have a ton of free books and free educational apps. One thing I like is I can download most apps/books for one price or free and they will work on all 6 Kindles. I wish I had more, but the students do love partnering up with their friends to read or play the games together.
I have a parent lock on mine because I don't want them to use the web feature, but they can access the Amazon cloud and get games or books that aren't specifically on one of the Kindles.