Week #3 - IPODS & AudioBooks!

Before this class, I never thought to google resources for teachers or students. Sure I used google to search for specific topics but never to find tools and such that were available to use. I never would have imagined the wealth of free resources, information and tools that are available through the internet. I am in complete and utter shock at all the technology that is out there. There is so much out there that I feel I bit overwhelmed as I search through it wondering what bit of it I should investigate further so I can blog about it. This is week 3 in my investigation through the internet and the ways technology can influence the classroom and I stumbled upon a resource I thought was wonderful.

Freeclassicaudiobooks.com is a site that has free classic audiobooks which you can download onto your computer and then onto your MP3 player or IPOD. There aren't a ton of books on this website but many of the classics are listed such as Shakespeare, Wind in the Willows, The Secret Garden, Huckleberry Finn, just to name a few. Students are on the go more than ever these days and as we already discussed, are digital natives. What greater way to combine the classics of literature with the technology students already use. For some reason, using your IPOD to read/ listen to Shakespeare just seems more appealing that reading it from a literature book.

Here is a list of a few benefits of using this resource or one like it:
1) Greater appeal to learn literary works
2) Students can listen while on the go/ convenience
3) Could be used to help those with visual impairments or other disabilities that prevent reading or make it difficult
4) Improved listening and comprehension skills
5) Learning proper pronunciation of words
6) To encourage reading for students who don't enjoy reading books

Although I can't see many problems with using audiobooks, there is the matter of having the technology - whether a MP3 player or IPOD. Although many students may already have those items, many children may not. Also, the books that are available may be limited.

I believe that the benefits of using AudioBooks for students are numerous and that as we use this resource in our classrooms, we might find that it is the tool that connects a child to reading that may otherwise turn away from reading because they find it boring, difficult, etc. A tool that has the possibility of turning students onto reading, which is something that leads to lifelong learning, is one that shouldn't be ignored.

Here is a list of a few other sites I found that have audiobooks:
- kids.audible.com (children's titles/ charge)
- bookshouldbefree.com (all categories/ free)
- simplyaudiobooks.com (all categories/ charge)
- audiobooksforfree.com (all categories/ charge - despite the web address)