This type of AT has been traditionally used for ELL students and students with learning disabilities and/or impairments. It is also effective on struggling readers and non-readers.
The effectiveness comes from the fact that you could use audiobooks to do the following:
1. Provide a read-aloud model
2. Capture the intended spirit of the stories due to the wonderful narration skills of the readers
3. Teach critical listening
4. Introduce students to books above their current reading level
The list can go on and on. Would I use this in my own classroom? Absolutely. I use a form of audiobook now to study for this class. I record myself reading the assigned chapters into my iPhone and then I play it back as I commute to and from work. That's essentially an audiobook. It helps me retain the information during the initial reading and the consequent playbacks.
Learning Ally is one of the most respected companies offering audiobooks today.
An example of Learning Ally's work
Alex, I agree - this has changed dramatically over the years. I know I have visited classroom where there is a still a cassette tape playing, and others where the story is downloaded into an mp3 file and playing on and ipod. I have added to my listening center every year. Most recently, I created a Listening Response sheet for each book in my collection, it gives purpose to the listening/reading and provides me a formative assessment. I am happy to share if you are interested
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment! Yes, depending on the resources available to schools you may still come across cassette players and CD players still in use. I know I have. Yes, I would gladly accept your Listening Response sheet. Sounds wonderful!
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