I just started circulating them and honestly, some books are just as
expensive, if not more expensive than a playaway and don't require a
permission slip, so I just circulate like I do my books. So far every child
has had their own earphones, but I also would purchase extras if you can.
Great alternative for my middle school library - I plan to increase my
selection in the future. Good luck!
Cheryl Carr
LMS
Oregon Middle School
Medford, NY 11763
ccarr@pmschools.org
----- Original Message -----
From: "David Bilmes" <dudu4tigers@SNET.NET>
To: <LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU>
Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2007 9:26 AM
Subject: [LM_NET] HIT: Playaways
> Here's my original request:
> I'd like to start purchasing Playaways for my school, but have some
> questions. If you are using them in your school, how durable are they? Do
> you require students to sign a special permission slip to check them out,
> since they're so expensive? Have you had many problems with them being
> lost or stolen?
>
> Here are the replies:
>
> I have begun circulating Playaways this semester and they are
> wonderful so far! I am in a small rural school and decided to type a
> letter to go home to parents that made them aware and responsible for the
> cost of the Playaways if they were lost or damaged. I chose $45 for the
> amount figuring that it would be close enough. Students had to take the
> letter home and return it signed before they could get on the reserve list
> for the Playaway. I also had to limit the checkout period to 7 days. Be
> sure to purchase the extra ear buds, I sell them for $1 if the student
> doesn't already have headphones to use. I have 17 to 18 circulations so
> far and haven't had a mechanical or destruction problem. Circulation has
> slowed a little on them but they are still a wonderful tool, especially
> for those students that are intimidated by the size or length of a good
> book!
> -----------------------------------
>
> I just started using the playaways this year. I do require a permission
> slip, and it's for the reason you said--their cost. I haven't had any
> playaways lost or broken yet, but they have lost a couple of the neck
> straps. Also, corners of the outside case snap off easily--I have 2 or
> 3 of those--but the whole case itself is still in good shape. I'm using
> them only with 5th and 6th grade to start with. I haven't decided yet
> how I will expand next year. I purchased the book to match the
> playaway, if I didn't already have it in my library. I got money from
> our special ed department to buy some of them.
> -----------------------------------
> I use Playaways at my middle school and check them out, without special
> permission, just like I do everything else. My kids love them and I have
> not had any problems. One kid's dog chewed up the earbud cord, but the mom
> paid for that right away.
> Kids are using them, enjoying them, and returning them quite nicely. And
> this is middle schoolers! We do require them to check out the book along
> with if they want to get credit on their reading logs. I'd highly
> recommend them!
> -----------------------------------
> We have about a dozen or so, and I've added them to our recorded books
> section. We pull the playaway itself from the case, and just put the case
> out, with a sticker that the playaway is available at the circ desk. If
> students don't have earbuds already, we supply them. No special
> permisiion, no special rules. Yes, they are expensive...and yes, we will
> no doubt take a hit. So far, though, no problems. They are wildly popular,
> and the special ed staff in my building are looking at purchasing some
> from their budget, too.
> -----------------------------------
> No problems or contracts so far. I am holding my breath. This is the
> first year we have really used them and the kids love them. I usually
> remind each check out that they are expensive, etc.
>
> I am just getting ready to circulate Playaways after we get back from the
> holidays. Yes, because of their price, I am going to ask students to
> bring back to me a signed permission form from their parents. We are a
> K-6 school and I am beginning the process with 6th grade.
> The PTO gave me (I think) $1000. I have about 30 titles, geared for
> grades 4 to 6. I also got some extras: ear buds, 5 lanyards, 5 cases, so
> if we damaged something, I replace it. My concern right now is how to
> display them for grade 6 only. I want to work the bugs out with our
> oldest students. I guess I will have them on a cart and the 6th grade
> will be able to see things. When I can get a few more, I will then go to
> grade 5, if this works out for me.
> -----------------------------------
> Where are you purchasing yours? I am getting mine through Follett. I am
> surprised at how "cheesy" the peripherals are. The speakers work, but
> they are not a very good quality and I would even be hesitant to loan them
> to a classroom for use there. The sound quality isn't the greatest. My
> sales rep. was here the other day and she thinks I should get the
> appropriate wires to use so I can connect the Playaway to my boom box. I
> need to try that. The FM-transmitter is a joke. Very flimsy and it
> doesn't work with stations in our neck of the woods. I do not think there
> is anyone at Follett who knows much about them or who is thinking about
> quality products. The Playways themselves, however, seem just fine and
> about impossible to break
> -----------------------------------
> No problems. No special procedures. We use rechargeable batteries
> that must be returned with the unit. Student provide their own headphones
> or purchase them from us for $1.
>
> I reserve them for fifth graders only, so they've got something special
> as the oldest kids here. I have them bring in a signed permission slip.
> Hope this helps.
> -----------------------------------
>
> No problem with lost or stolen though a few lost lanyards and one damaged
> case.
> I don't have special permission. I have some books that are over $30 and
> certainly student textbooks are also. I have had mine since April last
> year and they are quite popular. I have students purchase ear buds or use
> their own. I will replace batteries if necessary free of charge.
> -----------------------------------
> I am just getting ready to circulate Playaways after we get back from the
> holidays. Yes, because of their price, I am going to ask students to
> bring back to me a signed permission form from their parents. We are a
> K-6 school and I am beginning the process with 6th grade. Good luck.
>
>
> -----------------------------------
> We just started checking them out - have about 20 of them. No problems
> yet!
> We ask them if they have their own earbuds; if not, we check out a pair
> to
> them (took them all out of the cases). If they lose them, it's a buck
> (for
> the earbuds, that is). No lost Playaways yet....
> -----------------------------------
> I am in a Jr/Sr high school (gr. 7-12). The playaways
> are a big hit -- no special permission required. I
> have rubberbanded a paperback copy of the book to the
> playaway case. This allows the student to follow
> along in the text with the audio -- this is especially
> good for those struggling and low-level readers who
> spend a lot of time decoding and end up not
> comprehending. Since I am in a 7-12 school it allows
> those upper grade struggling students to read what
> their peers are reading.
> -----------------------------------
> I have also had several teachers check out the
> playaways with the book so they can listen while
> exercising or driving. Some cars have MP3 inputs on
> the stereo -- these can be plugged into the car stereo
> or into speakers.
>
>
>
>
>
> David Bilmes, LMS
> Schaghticoke Middle School
> New Milford, CT
> bilmesd@newmilfordps.org
> dudu4tigers@snet.net
> www.new-milfordps.org/SMS/LMC
>
> "You can't teach people to write well. Writing well is something God lets
> you do or declines to let you do."
>
> -Kurt Vonnegut
>
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