[Publib] Audiobooks, are they helping kids learn to read?

[Melissa Malcolm]

I was a school librarian for sixteen years and happily collected unabridged audiobooks for my students and teachers.  My budget didn't allow me to collect books that weren't part of the curriculum, so there were very few that weren't being read for classes.   Ideally, the students read the book along with  the tapes but even if they didn't, far better for the poor readers  to be able to contribute to the discussion on The Grapes of Wrath than to sit silently because they couldn't read the text.  Some of the kids who were poor readers were fine thinkers.  I was proud to be able to offer this service to the students, and the teachers were appreciative that those students who learned differently were being recognized.  I only wish that I'd had the budget for multiple copies so that more students could take advantage of the format.  
 
Melissa A. Malcolm, Central Library Manager
Chesapeake Public Library
298 Cedar Road
Chesapeake, Virginia 23322-5598
(757) 382-6461
mamalcolm at chesapeake.lib.va.us

>>> "Michelle Mumau" <Mumaum at woodhaven.k12.mi.us> 9/27/2006 11:57 am >>>
I was just wondering what your thoughts are on audio books and
education? In my opinion audio books are NOT helping kids learn to read.
I believe that the current generation of children are lazier than ever
and audio books are just feeding into that mentality. I teach 7th grade
and it is amazing how many children can't read.... and their spelling is
atrocious. Can we blame it all on audio books, of course not, but I do
think it is a contributing factor. 
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