Playaways

What is a Playaway? 

A PlayAway is a self-playing, digital audiobook made from plastic. Each unit plays one book.  The plastic unit hangs from a lanyard and is about half the size of a deck of cards. The volume and voice speed is adjustable.  There is a tiny LCD screen that displays the track number and time remaining.  The device is powered by one AAA battery and that last approximately 12 hours. 

Why use Playaways? 

These light, small audio players mean that students can listen to a range of books that their normal reading ability may not allow. Listening to a variety of books may spark interest in new authors and styles of books.  Playaway mp3 audiobooks will help our students improve literacy skills. These books are also beneficial for reinforcing the language and listening skills of our reluctant readers, ESL, and special education students. Students who check out Playaways and get a taste for them, may become interested in buying an MP3 player and using e-books for more titles in the future. 

How Does a Playaway work?   

Just turn the unit on, put in the headphones and you’re ready to go.  There is a tiny LCD screen that displays the track number and time remaining.  The device is powered by one AAA battery and that lasts approximately 12 hours.  Click here for a PDF version of the Playaway unit buttons and functions.^[1]

Where can Teacher Librarians order PlayAways? 

Playaways feature audio book selections for Early Years students through adults, with prices ranging from approximately $35.00 to over $100.00, depending on the length and title. Schools can order from the following vendor:

http://www.whitehots.com/Library-Services

How to Introduce Playaways into the school library?

Playaways are a fantastic resource for school libraries. Playaways can uniquely promote reading and expose students to new, motivating and interesting technology. So for 2009, put a few Playaways on your order list and have a game plan to implement them when they arrive.  

The following steps may help to introduce the Playaways successfully in your library setting.

1. Purchase small, ziploc bags that can house the Playway and a set of portable directions.

2. Take the directions that come with the Playaway and make multiple photocopies of them in case they get lost or misplaced. Take the photocopies and laminate them so they’ll lost longer, and be more resistant to rips and tears. Incude a set of directions in the bag with the unit.

3. Display the empty "video" type boxes on the library shelves.  The actual units are kept in plastic bags behind the circulation desk.  Barcode and catalogue the unit.  To check out the unit, students bring the empty case to the circ desk where it is exchanged for the unit in the ziploc bag.

4. Create a PlayAways contract to be signed by parents and students. The permission slip should explain what the Playaway is, the procedure for checking it in and out of the library and the replacement costs should the item become damaged or lost.  For a sample contract begin used at Benson School Library click here.

4. Decide whether students will use either their own headphones or sanitize the ones that came with the Playaway.  Consider purchasing a few extra pairs of headphones at the Dollar Store to have available for sale to the students at a minimal cost. 

5. Talk to your principal and let him/her know your plans for implementing the Playaways in the library. Collaboratively decide which grade levels will be allowed to borrow them. Share your permission slip with him/her and ask for suggestions or revisions.  Only students who have a signed contract will be allowed to borrow the Playaway units.

6. Create posters and have a 'grand opening' of the audio book section in your library.  Instant Playaway Poster Generator

http://www.playawaylibrary.com/poster.cfm  

39 Clues Playaway sample poster

Goosebumps Playaway sample poster

School Library Journal article on Playaways - http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6410498.html

How do I change the battery on a Playaway?^[2]

How do I know how much battery life is left?

A small battery icon displays on the screen, reflecting four levels of battery life. When one bar is left in the battery icon, you have 20% power left.