SYLLABUS

FOR NON-CREDIT COURSES

INSTITUTION: / gREAT FALLS COLLEGE MSU
COURSE TITLE: / Light Up Your Life with Kindle Fire
LAST UPDATED: / Fall 2017
INSTRUCTOR & CONTACT INFO: / Katie Kotynski
Email: / Phone: (406)
I. COURSE DESCRIPTION
Why spend $500 on an iPad when you can take this class and get a Kindle Fire for free! If you want email, movies, books and surfing the net, then a Kindle Fire is probably all you need. In this class, you will set up your Kindle, learn about settings, picture taking, downloading books, setting up email and adding some apps. The Kindle is your perfect travel companion. you will leave with your Kindle Fire set up and ready to go. Please have an Amazon account set up before you come if you do not have one already.
II. COURSE MATERIALS
Provided by instructor
III. COURSE OBJECTIVES
How to set up and get started using your Kindle Fire. By the end of class, participants will know how to
·  Turn on the Kindle
·  How to use the various buttons on the device
·  Connect to Amazon Account
·  Know the various icons and apps
·  Set up Email
·  Adjust settings
·  Read books
·  Surf the internet
·  If time, we will set up public library, load apps and see how Netflix works
IV. COURSE OUTLINE
We are going to be setting up the Kindle from taking it out of the box. We will just be going over basics: how to turn on the device, what the buttons on the device are and how they work, how to set up your Amazon account, how to load a book, how to adjust settings, how to set up email, how to surf the internet. If we have time, we will set up the Great Falls Public library (librarians can help with this) and how to load apps and use Netflix.
V. STUDENT EVALUATION
This class is graded on a pass/fail. If you register and do not attend class you will receive a fail grade.
VI. ACCOMMODATIONS
Students with documented disabilities, whether physical, cognitive or psychological, are entitled to reasonable accommodations in their classes. If you would like to use accommodations for this class, please contact Kathy Meier, Director of Disability and Learning Support Services at 406-771-4311 or stop by the Disability and Learning Support Services office (R261) to make arrangements.

FAQ’s

1.Is the Kindle we receive new or refurbished?

It is brand new, in the box. I will call/email you to confirm which color you would like 10 days before the class: tangerine, magenta, blue or black.

2.Which Kindle is it?

It is the basic Kindle Fire. With the Kindle, unlike an IPad,you don't need to purchase one with more memory up front as you can add an SD card for as much memory as you need later. I purchased a 32-gig card for $4.99 on sale. Here is a link to the modelhttps://goo.gl/9h9Ckt

3. Can I read library books on it?

Yes, you can load the Overdrive app on any device, including the Kindle Fire, so that you can read from the State library/GF library, etc. Some are reading from the Chicago library. You can also read your Kindle books, Goodreads or other ebooks on it.

4. Can I take pictures on it?

Yes, pictures and videos and you can edit your photos too. It has a great photo editor.

5. Can I use Facetime?

No, Facetime is an Apple product. But you can use Skype or Google Hangouts,which do the same thing.

6. Does it have video?

You can take your own video and watch it. You can watch Youtube, Netflix or Amazon video (either Prime video or for-purchase video) on the Kindle Fire or any other video service, such as Hulu.

7. Does it have 4G?

The Kindle fire that we are purchasing only works with wi-fi. You cannot get cellular service with it. You would have to purchase a higher-end Kindle for it to work on a cellphone monthly contract. It works like a computer: you connect it to your home wifi or wifi at a coffee shop or motel, etc. You will pay around $250 for 4G plus your monthly cell cost.

8. Is the screen backlit?

Yes. This is a tablet, not an eReader, not a regular Kindle. The Fire is like an iPad or mini computer. It can surf the internet, load apps, read books, watch videos,check email, etc.

If you are just wanting to read books on the device, then a regular Kindle is what you would want (cheapest is $80) because it works well in sunlight (unlike a computer/tablet screen which needs to be shaded) and the battery lasts for 4 days or more. Computer/tablet/Fire batteries last about 7 hours.

Here is a comparison chart

http://www.the-ebook-reader.com/kindle-comparison.html

9. I use my Fire for travel, since it is an all-in-one device that fits in my purse (6"). I can check email, check the weather, read the news, read the Tribune, and then in the evening at the hotel, read a book, post to my blog, watch a video--in English--if we are oversees. But if I were the type of person to go to a beach and read, I would take my regular Kindle, but we are active during the day. I use my Kindle to give directions, even walking directions, and bus directions, including bus stops, when oversees or out of town. It is a Google product, so it works well with Google Maps and Google docs, etc.