Are Mp3 Audio Books Beneficial for Children to Learn About Literature?

Technology has changed the way children are learning throughout the world. Computers are used in classrooms and teachers are using software programs to custom design a curriculum based on the needs of each particular child. One issue that is often overlooked until it is too late is whether or not mp3 audiobooks are a beneficial way for children to become knowledgeable in literature. r

Reading is a skill that everyone must have in order to survive in today's world. Classrooms throughout the world teach children the basics of reading and help introduce the children to a world of literature designed to broaden their minds. But are mp3 audiobooks the way to proceed? Are these audio books for children really helping children learn or are they an unnecessary crutch that can later hurt the child?
Mp3 audiobooks are sets of literature recorded onto a digital medium and then downloaded onto an mp3 player. These audio books can range from popular fiction to "how to" guides. The convenience is undeniable. Adults often lead very busy lives and want to stay abreast of current literature but find themselves without the time to sit down and read a book cover to cover. Mp3 audiobooks bridge this gap quite well.

The issue at hand is whether or not it is acceptable for children and teenagers to rely on this medium. Granted it is a great alternative to the portable DVD player but does it actually have any benefits?

The answer is yes and no. Mp3 audiobooks have several plusses. The first is for children just learning to read. All children will find themselves, at one point or another, struggling with a particular word in a story. By following the words while the voice reads them aloud, the child can identify what a particular word or phrase is. It is very much akin to the stories parents read to their children at night. Parents are another version of mp3 audiobooks.

The downside to mp3 audiobooks comes when they are used solely. It is important for a child or teenager to learn how to read and process the information properly. This is an acquired skill that comes from practice. If the child is listening to an audio book cd, cassette, or mp3 version exclusively then they are not acquiring this much needed life skill. They can find themselves knowledgeable about literature but ignorant of how to read it by themselves.

The effectiveness of mp3 audiobooks comes into question when a student is using the file as their sole means of learning. They may know what the story is about but they are not learning how the words come together. They may know what a word sounds like but would not recognize it. Studies have shown that seeing the words helps imprint them into the memory and hearing them may not.

Too much of one thing, even mp3 audiobooks, is not good for anyone. Students have to learn to read and understand literature. Some things, while great to hear, lose their effectiveness if they are not read. Take for example some forms of poetry. A person reads them on a sound file but the listener misses the physical impact of seeing the words take shape in stanzas or shapes. So you wind up with a student who can recite a poem but cannot read it properly.

Mp3 audiobooks have to be used in conjunction with physical reading. Without doing so then great harm is being done to a child. They are great tools to use on road trips but are not what is needed when studying for a class. The goal is to combine the two mediums in a way that increases understanding but also allows for the person to have to use their mind to process written information. As our technology increases, there will be other ways for books to be discovered. Some will be great and some might interfere with the natural learning order. As with anything, moderation is the key.

The answer, when it comes to mp3 audiobooks being used, is through moderation. There must be a balance. It is perfectly fine to listen to a book when you do not have the time to sit down and read it but you must not rely on this method alone. A perfect balance is one where the child can listen to a book when time does not permit actually reading it and actually knowing how to process the information.

Anything in done in excess can be harmful. This includes utilizing mp3 audiobooks as the sole means of acquiring new literature. If used properly audio books for children can get the child interested in the realms of literature and reading. It can make learning a fun experience. The child can listen to the book and still knows the importance of reading for themselves.