Audio Books-Helpful or a Hinderance

Wanda - posted on 11/01/2010

I love books. I love to read and write. I'm not a fan of audio books. For me it's just not the same but I can see their purpose - they're great for people with vision problems and certain learning disabilities. My MIL likes to listen to them in the car instead of the radio.
But I think we need to make sure kids are reading - at least what they're assigned in school. So many kids are graduating and they can't read/write properly. Reading and writing are basic skills that you use everyday of your life, listening to books can't teach you those skills.

About the Kindle; my hubby got a Kobo (same thing just a different company) for his birthday and he loves it.

April - posted on 10/30/2010

Is an audio book exactly like the actual book or do they shorten it? i just want to know if it is kind of like cliff's notes or if it is verbatim. If it's not verbatim, the that's a problem.

I also think that turning a page in a book is effort, it's work and kids need to work! They need to have discipline, drive, and focus (not let's see how fast I can finish this homework so i can hang out with my friends, etc...)

Dawn - posted on 10/30/2010

Well then, now that I am aware this High School....I am all for it!! It sounds like you are doing a great job as a teacher!! I think that listening to a book for entertainment tops video games any day.

Catherine - posted on 10/30/2010

I'm a high school English teacher, and I totally support the use of audio books. Honestly, in this generation and with the technology they have, I think it's what they're more likely to use in the future than to read hardcover books. Reading is hard for some kids, and I would MUCH rather they listened to an audio book than did nothing with books at all. Times are changing, and rather than resisting technology, I feel like it's time for us to embrace it.

Sapphire - posted on 10/30/2010

I appreciate your feedback, honestly, I do! Audio books are never going to replace a printed copy of a book, IMO.
This is high school, I should have added-9th grade. The whole conversation started so casually when a kid said he got a $50 itune gift card for his birthday the other day. So that's when I said, "Oh, go download a few books" My rationale is that if the kids are downloading somthing, why not a book? Then the rest of the conversation took place. I have a handful of students where reading books is simply not pushed at home, so they just don't care if they fail the AR portion of the grade. I can only encourage so much in the classroom as well, and it's up to the student to make the choice of reading or not reading. Ironically, the parent who emailed me happens to be in my Pre-AP class and is a storng reader, loves to read. I think he may have simply been browsing the web site and wanted to download a book. Maybe! We're a brand new high school with a developing library, and the closest free public library is 20 miles away. A closer library is out of township boundary and they charge $50/year for library privileges. I have provided web sites for free downloadable e-books, but again, the student has to make a choice and take an initiative. I have noticed that for some of my very low readers, the audio books have helped and I did get positive feedback. For younger, early elementary students, no, I don't think audio books are useful because kids are not learning to read. Listening WHILE following the book is a positive way to model fluency which is not bad. For the high schoolers, since they download everything else, why not a book? It's a motivation thing at this level. When I taught 7th and 8th grade, the motivational factor was very different and kids actually read! I'm not saying that my students DON'T read. Out of my 152 students, I am probably estimating 30-40 simply don't give a rat's ass about reading an AR book. As far as the Kindle comment, I have to say I am seriously looking into buying one for myself. 1) My public library never seems to have the books I want. 2) Borders is 12 miles away, Barnes & Nobles is 18 miles away, and the 2nd hand bookstore even further. Also, the stock always seems to be limited. With a Kindle, I can download what I want, when I want, swap pdf files, and still READ!

Laura - posted on 10/30/2010

I have a degree in English Literature so I will come right out and say I am 100% biased in my opinion here. : ) Kids should NOT use audio books to fulfill the AR requirements! My daughter has had to read AR books for her class so I know about the program. The purpose of the AR program is accelerated READING, not listening! While I understand that the comprehension of the book can be achieved by listening to the story, it defeats the purpose of using one's eyes to actually read. I'm also no fan of Kindles, iPads, and eBooks, but those devices at least still require the skill of reading. These devices would be an acceptable alternative to a printed book. I also agree with the parent's response about this encouraging lazy kids, too.

I can, however, understand your point about using audio books for kids with actual disabilities (dyslexia, for example). That is an example of technology helping. This is not acceptable, though, for use by kids that simply "don't like to read". That is a lame and lazy excuse by the student! English class involves reading and writing, plain and simple. Bottom line, unless the student has an actual disability that hinders or prevents them from reading, audio books should not be used for AR requirements.

Dawn - posted on 10/30/2010

I don't have children in the school system currently and I am not a teacher, so I don't know if I would respond differently as I am now, but I say they are a hinderance at a certain level, and that would be elementary level. I think audio books can be a great encouragement for younger pre-readers, as you can read-along with most of them. I enjoyed audio books as an adult on my commute to work. But, IMO, during the years that young children are learning to read, I think they can get in the way of reading...why read if it can be read?? Of course, there are always exceptions; if a child is an avid reader and is at or above their grade level, I see no problems with enjoying a book being read to them. On the other hand, if the child hates to read, I would be more inclined to have a parent or teacher reach out to that child and find out why...maybe there are reasons that can be addressed such as finding material that interests the child or working on self-esteem ("I can't read well, so I don't like to read"). The parent that sent you the letter may have been harsh because they didn't take the time to think of your reasons, but I think they did have a point worth addressing to you.