How Audiobooks are Enhancing the Benefits of Digital Technology in Education
Living in the digital age impacts many aspects of daily life, including work, communication, and—most importantly—education. Computers and the internet help students and educators be more effective and efficient, so much so that the education technology (EdTech) market is expected to reach $605.40 billion by 2027. Our post “The Digital Revolution and Its Impact on Education” shares that this is because of the many ways digital technology aids education, including promoting research through streamlining processes (like identifying sources) and improving learning outcomes with more flexible online education programs.
Today, more digital technologies are helping dedicated EdTech tools enhance how people learn. Among the most notable is the audiobook. Although casual readers often use it to enjoy their favorite novels, it actually offers many advantages in the education sector. To find out more about its benefits in learning, keep reading below:
Accessibility
Everyone deserves the right to education. Unfortunately, some people’s circumstances can make it challenging to learn. For instance, 6.8% of children below 18 years have a vision condition, which may affect their reading abilities. Audiobooks make learning more accessible for people with visual impairments and those who cannot physically hold up printed learning materials.
An article on audiobooks by Publishing Central adds that audiobooks can even level the playing field for students who are also caretakers for a family member, have a job, or have no quiet study area at home. They can conveniently learn through audiobooks while commuting, doing chores, or working, so they don’t miss out on educational opportunities despite their responsibilities. With audiobooks, more people can have access to the knowledge they need.
Variety
The first thing that may come to mind when thinking about audiobooks is using them for required reading, like book reports. After all, audiobooks present stories in an exciting format that allows listeners to multitask. That can make the entire reading process less of a hassle—especially for non-bookworms.
However, audiobooks offer so much more. The variety of audiobooks means students can use them for different kinds of academic requirements—including studying and preparing for examinations. This is exemplified by the study aid and test prep audiobooks on Everand. For example, 25 Essential Lessons for a High Score: TOEFL iBT by Winn Trivette II can be especially helpful for those looking to take the TOEFL, while a summary of Atomic Habits which include academic and motivational works that can help during test prep. To save time, one could even look up book summary audiobooks they can listen to while writing essays. Overall, audiobooks offer diverse learning opportunities that students can utilize.
Personalized learning
Everyone has different learning styles and speeds. Some students may finish lessons quicker than others, while others must review topics multiple times to grasp them better. Audiobooks are perfect for personalizing the learning experience, as they’re incredibly versatile.
For example, students can rewind and repeat select sections of a book they don’t understand. Compared to traditional learning, this allows them to return to a lesson repeatedly. Moreover, audiobooks are perfect for students who need engaging learning materials. Reading books alone can be tedious for younger students, but works like 101 Math Riddles for Kids by Maggie Frost—where a narrator makes math fun through riddles—can help keep their attention and finish a lesson. That makes them useful for people with different learning needs.
Enhanced literacy skills
Comprehension, vocabulary, and grammar skills are necessary for students of all ages. It allows them to understand text, write better, and communicate effectively using proper comprehension, critical thinking, and fluency. For example, students who learn new words through audiobooks will know how to correctly pronounce them and use them in the right context.
Audiobooks can also improve their listening skills, as they’ll learn to focus on understanding concepts and stories. Such a skill will be beneficial when attending classes, as it’ll help them train their attention on the teacher and what’s being discussed. That’s why Spotify brought a collection of classic works onto its platform—so more people can pick up literacy skills from mainstays like The Frog Prince even while doing mundane tasks, like exercising. In this way, the mind is never bored as it continuously learns.
Audiobooks are more than entertainment tools; they’re also emerging as a way to enhance the benefits of digital technology in education. By making learning more accessible, varied, personalized, and ultimately effective, they can help all kinds of learners.
