Overview

• An audiobook is a recording of a book or text being read out loud. It allows you to listen to a story, rather than read it.

• Audiobooks can be accessed on several different websites. You can download the audiobook onto your device (ex. Smartphone, tablet) and listen to the recording with headphones, or out loud in a quiet space.

• Audiobooks are recommended for weak readers, students with vision problems, or if reading activities require more portability.

To see Audiobooks in action, check out this video: https://youtu.be/ingLnabWb8k?si=PMffLgzSzZ1LqYDg

Research

Esteves & Whitten, 2011:

• This study compared the effect of assisted reading with digital audiobooks versus traditional silent reading on reading fluency and attitude. 20 elementary students in the United States participated in this study.

• Students with reading disabilities who were given audiobooks to practice instead of traditional silent reading time showed significant gains in fluency (measured in words per minute), increasing by 16 words per minute over an 8 week span, compared to 5 words per minute for students who practiced silent reading.

Korat, 2010:

• This study examined the effect of electronic storybooks on the language and literacy skills of kindergarten children and first grade students. 40 kindergarten students and 50 first grade students took part.

• The results showed that children who read the e-book exhibited significant progress in word meaning and word reading compared to children who did not read the e-book. Furthermore, kindergarten students progressed more than first grade students.

Shamir et al, 2008:

• This study explored the effect of audiobooks on 110 kindergarten's literacy skills, including phonological awareness, word recognition, and story comprehension and production.

• Results suggested that children who used the audiobook had greater improvement in phonological awareness and word recognition than those who did not use the audiobook.

Grimshaw et al., 2007:

• This study explored the effect of type of presentation on 132 children’s comprehension and enjoyment of storybooks. Type of presentation groups included: electronic books, electronic books with online dictionaries, electronic books with narration, and printed books.

• Results showed that the type of presentation had no effect on the enjoyment of books. However, students who were provided with narration had higher comprehension scores than those who were not.

Larson, 2015:

• In this study, 26 6th grade students were equipped with headphones, Kindle Fire e-books, and corresponding audiobooks over the course of 17 classroom sessions. They then completed surveys on their experience using these devices.

• Results suggested that a combined reading/listening experience allowed students to adjust reading rates and tackle unfamiliar words, allowing them to read more and for a longer period of time. However, the authors suggest that listening comprehension is directly correlated with reading comprehension, meaning if a student can figure out the words, but doesn’t understand what they’re reading, an audiobook will not make a significant difference. Furthermore, the ability to change narration speed was cited by students as helpful, depending on their proficiency.

Research Quick Facts

Advantages

• Can boost reading comprehension and fluency, particularly when paired with the corresponding visual text.

• Bypasses reading difficulties and giving poor readers access to content

• Can store many books in one place easily

• Opens up access to other aids, such as annotation tools

• Favored by weaker readers

Disadvantages

• Mixed results showing how student engagement compares to silent reading

• Requires headphones and a device to mount the books

• Must review for quality of book and quality of narration when selecting books for classrooms

To Consider

• Many audiobooks have different features, such as ambient sounds, background effects, and multiple narrators. These features should be set according to personal preference.

Insights from Practice

Make sure you can adjust the speed at which the voice reads. The student will require headphones in order to use them throughout the school day.