Amazon's "Kindle" electronic reading device debuted in the Darden School this semester, marking the start of a year-long pilot project.\nThe program gives a group of randomly chosen Darden students the Kindle DX as a substitute for the traditional hardback and paperback textbooks. Darden is one of less than 10 schools selected for the new test program and was the first to launch the program.\nRobert Carraway, Darden's associate dean for degree programs, said the project is part of the school's endeavor to give students more affordable choices for textbooks. Because of the increased accessibility to course material, Carraway said he also hopes students will be able to prepare more easily for classes by having all of their course material in one place.\n"Because the Kindle makes access to course materials so flexible, some students will be better prepared for classes, and hence derive more value," Carraway said. "On the cost side, there is for the student savings in both time, cost and required physical location."\nWith a publishing contract in place between Darden and Amazon, new students in the program are able to access the material on Amazon instead of having to purchase the books in person.\n"A future where the bookstore can be bypassed is quite possible," said Michael Koenig, Darden's director of full-time MBA operations.\nDespite possible economic advantages of the Kindle, the new electronic device could pose some difficulties in the classroom, Koenig noted.\n"Participation in class by accessing notes quick enough to make a point could be a challenge," Koenig said.\nCurrently, students participating in the program also have access to paper textbooks.\n"To ensure fairness, all students will continue to have access to the paper business cases and text-books and access to electronic course materials through a Microsoft SharePoint based Learning Management System implemented this year", Koenig said.\nCarraway noted that the technology also will reduce Darden's paper consumption, making Darden's goals for greater, institution-wide environmental sustainability more realistic.\n"The project falls in line with our goal to be carbon neutral by 2020," Koenig said.\nKoneig, who reached out to Amazon a little more than a year ago to inquire about the pilot program, said he believes Darden's participation in test initiatives such as Kindle help not only to build Darden's reputation as a sustainable business institution, but also as a more innovative business school overall.\n"We are second only to Harvard in the number of business cases published and sold around the world," Koenig said. "However, we are more intent on innovation and flexibility, and hence, are on the constant look-out for new developments"
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