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Audible for Education
General Summary
- Audio-based learning platform focusing primarily on literature
- Designed for secondary school students (grades 8-12)
- Provides access to curated audiobooks plus additional credits
- Offers captions feature for simultaneous audio/text learning
- Often provided free to participating schools and students
Increased Engagement with Literature
Many parents report dramatic improvements in their children's interest in books:
"As a parent of a child who has difficulty comprehending print text but comprehends audio skillfully, thank you for this post! Audio books were a game changer for her. It was a huge struggle to get audio books 'accepted' in middle/high school, but now in college, she gets all her books in audio."
Why Audio Books in the Classroom? – Pernille Ripp
"Audiobooks end the fight over reading. Parents are happy. Kids are happy."
The Problem with Audiobooks
Vocabulary & Language Development
Parents observe significant language development benefits:
"His vocabulary was becoming so sophisticated even with words he couldn't spell. It's like ice cream made of broccoli. Kids [are] learning without even knowing they're learning!"
Why Audio Books in the Classroom? – Pernille Ripp
Balancing Audio & Print Literacy
Some parents express concerns about over-reliance on audiobooks:
"Not all mediums are created equal... many parents are operating under this false equivalence [of thinking listening and reading are identical]."
The Problem with Audiobooks
"There are at least three vital areas where audiobooks cannot duplicate the benefit of reading visual text."
The Problem with Audiobooks
Accessibility & Learning Differences
Parents of children with learning challenges often find audiobooks particularly beneficial:
"As a parent of a child who has difficulty comprehending print text but comprehends audio skillfully, thank you for this post! Audio books were a game changer for her."
Why Audio Books in the Classroom? – Pernille Ripp
"While audiobooks can be a great piece in the educational growth of students [we need to be mindful of the skills they don't build]."
The Problem with Audiobooks
Who Benefits Most From Audible for Education?
Well-Suited For:
- Students with dyslexia or other reading challenges
- Reluctant or struggling readers who need to build confidence
- Auditory learners who process information better by listening
- Busy students who can listen to books during commutes or activities
- Schools looking to increase literature engagement and accessibility
Consider Alternatives If:
- Your priority is developing reading fluency and decoding skills
- You're concerned about screen time or device use
- Your student needs to improve spelling and word recognition
- You prefer a program focused on interactive reading instruction
- Your district has limited access to devices or internet connectivity
Our Bottom Line
Audible for Education offers a valuable supplement to traditional literacy instruction, particularly for struggling or reluctant readers. While it shouldn't completely replace print reading, parents report significant benefits in engagement, vocabulary development, and content access. The program works best when used as part of a balanced approach to literacy that includes both audio and print materials, leveraging the benefits of each format to support student learning.
Subjects covered
Core subjects: English Language Arts, primarily literature commonly taught in middle and high school
Additional subjects: History, biographies, personal interest topics through additional audiobooks
Special emphasis: Literature and language arts with flexibility for cross-curricular learning, accessibility for students with reading challenges
Teaching Format
Online delivery: All instruction is provided through a digital platform with no printed textbooks by default
Self-paced structure: Students progress through material at their own speed, with lessons being asynchronous
Interactive lessons: Multimedia elements like videos, animations, and interactive exercises to engage different learning styles
Assessment approach: Auto-graded quizzes and assignments, with certified online teachers grading extended assignments
Teacher interaction: Minimal day-to-day teacher involvement; communication primarily via email
Implementation flexibility: Can be used as a full curriculum or for individual courses; suitable for independent learners
Parent involvement: Moderate; parents monitor progress and support learning without direct instruction
Pricing
Audible for Education was provided free of charge to participating schools and students
Initial pilot programs: Funded by Audible as part of community engagement efforts
Included benefits: Unlimited access to a curated 80-title School Collection and 12 free credits for additional audiobooks
Cost-effective: Entire package provided without charging schools, parents, or students
Pricing model: Not available for general purchase; functioned as a sponsored program
Potential future changes: If commercialized, pricing model may change
Parent Involvement
Low involvement required
Initial consent: Parents must sign a permission form for student access
Daily responsibilities: Minimal; students use the app independently after setup
Monitoring: Parents may encourage reading and discuss books but are not required to teach
Technical support: Help available for app navigation and troubleshooting if needed
Content filtering: School accounts block mature content, easing parental concerns
