Comments

1. Missy,  Many of the folks in Tampa had gotten hanging shoe racks at WalMart to hold the individual players and other materials.  The ones I saw were clear plastic so you could see what was there at a glance.  Is this what you are asking about?

   Will DeLamater on Thursday, 07 September 2006, 10:24 CDT # |

2. I'm concerned about keeping them out in my room.  Are they locked in a cabinet?  Do they get stolen?

   Melissa Hughes on Friday, 08 September 2006, 14:18 CDT # |

3. I have always kept my players in a locked cabinet.  This year I have a closet and I keep them there.  I have to say that having the players stolen hasn't been a big problem.  I always check to see that they're all there before the students leave.  I have them numbered and I have students responsible for specific numbers.

   I have had a problem with batteries being stolen so I have to watch them as well.  That's probably a good thing because then I pay attention to when they're charged so they don't run out in the middle of a session.

   How do you manage the players and the batteries?

   Lee Corey on Sunday, 10 September 2006, 07:52 CDT # |

4. Thanks for the ideas! Lee, I keep everything in a locked file cabinet. about 10 minutes before class ends the students complete their reading records and bring me the equipment. We do a battery check where the kids show me the batteries in the player. I explained to them that although only a few people steal the batteries, we all have to do the check in order to be fair and make sure that we can continue using the recorded books. I originally was concerned about sending a message that I did not trust them, but they did not say a word about it and were very willing to oblige. It got to the point that students showed me the batteries as habit and would let me know about what store where had batteries on sale!

   Melissa Hughes on Sunday, 10 September 2006, 19:08 CDT # |

5. I love the idea of having students in charge of certain players. Do the students take turns checking the equipment? Do the kids have the same numbered player every week? Eureka! I am excited to make simple adjustments that will make the process even better.

   Melissa Hughes on Sunday, 10 September 2006, 19:25 CDT # |

6. Like Lee, I keep my players in my cabinets.  I have them numbered, so the students have to check out a number with me before they use them.  If it's a repeated student using the players every week, then I just assign that student the same number every week.  It takes a some effort on my part to check at the end of the period to make sure players/batteries/headphones are back where they need to be, but I find that it is manageable and losing players isn't problematic. Putting hooks inside your cabinet doors is a great way to keep headphones numbered, separated, and easy to check at a glance if they are missing.

    I try to have enough players in my classroom, so that any student choosing to read a book-on-tape has that option.  Numbering all equipment is a great way to keep track of which student is using what.

    

   Lynnette Elliott on Wednesday, 20 September 2006, 09:27 CDT # |

7. Thanks!  I have already started numbering my books per your suggestions.  I will keep you posted on Friday. 

   Melissa Hughes on Wednesday, 20 September 2006, 14:50 CDT # |