Kindles, iPads in Classrooms Means Opportunity for Local Company

A local manufacturer of accessories for e-book readers is mounting a push to get more of its products in the classroom. 

Odenton-based M-Edge, which sells for devices including the Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble Nook and Apple iPad, announced that it has formed an Education Team to work with school officials, teachers and librarians.

The goal, company officials said, is to offer more M-Edge products at deep discounts to teachers and students who are increasingly using e-book readers in the classroom.

 “We’re basically trying to do a little more outreach than we were in the past,” said Allison Ward, vice president of customer relations and education for M-Edge. “The biggest thing is just getting teachers to be aware that we are offering discounts.”

Ward said M-Edge has already sold about 500 accessories to schools and teachers, usually at discounts of 30 percent or more. The new Education Team, which includes Ward and a handful of other company employees, will seek to raise awareness of these discounts through traditional advertising, social media, and direct correspondence with school officials.

Ward acknowledged that a relatively small number of school use e-book readers in the classroom due to cost. But, she said schools may eventually find the devices would present a cost savings over traditional textbooks. The products from M-Edge, especially the protective sleeves and covers, would help schools protect their investment, Ward said.

M-Edge also offers schools the ability to design e-book reader accessories with school colors and logos.

The company recently got involved with four New York high schools that had received a grant to pay for 84 Amazon Kindles.

“We’re working with them and giving them covers, which they’re thrilled about,” Ward said. “We’ll be hearing back from them throughout the school year to hear what’s working and what’s not, to really get a good sense of what obstacles these kids are facing when they’re using these.”