RFB&D’s Learning Through Listening ™

1. RFB&D’s Learning Through Listening™

2. About RFB&D • National non profit • World’s largest lending library of audio textbooks • 90,000+-volume library

3. About RFB&D cont. • Founded in 1948 as Recording for the Blind • Started to help veterans blinded in WWII achieve success in college • Founder Anne T. MacDonald believed: “Education is a right, not a privilege”

4. About RFB&D cont. Mission: To create opportunities for individual success by providing, and promoting the effective us of, accessible educational materials. Vision: For all people to have access to the printed word.

5. About RFB&D cont.

6. About RFB&D cont. 90,000+ titles: • Recorded by more than 5,000 volunteers across the country • All educational levels - Kindergarten to postgraduate and professional • Broad range of subjects

7. About RFB&D cont. Reference Librarian: • Subject reference search - For students conducting research - When teachers are planning thematic units - For any member wishing to supplement their reading in a certain subject

8. Who is Eligible to Use RFB&D’s Audio Textbooks? Any student unable to read standard print due to: • A reading or learning disability, such as dyslexia • A visual impairment or blindness • Any other physical disability that impairs the ability to read print

9. RFB&D Learning Through Listening Memberships • Annual Institutional Membership (AIM) • Individual

10. Direct Instruction and Accommodations Reading problems are addressed two ways: • Direct Instruction • Accommodations

11. Direct Instruction and Accommodations cont. Direct Instruction: • Systematic instruction in basic skills • Assumes that the reading problems can be “fixed.”

12. Direct Instruction and Accommodations cont. Accommodations: • Adaptations and modifications of curriculum and instructional practices • Compensate for disabilities • Enable students to complete grade level work

13. Direct Instruction and Accommodations cont. Accommodations cont.: • Make learning possible and independent • Complement, support and enhance direct instruction

14. Benefits of RFB&D’s Audio Textbooks • Provide access to the general curriculum • Empower students to complete the same work as peers • Level the playing field for students who cannot effectively read print

15. Benefits of RFB&D’s Audio Textbooks cont. • Enable students to control their learning rate with variable speed control • Foster self-reliance • Promote life-long learning and independence

16. Benefits of RFB&D’s Audio Textbooks cont. • Promotes “reading to learn” rather than just learning to read • Enable students to acquire content knowledge • Enable students to read works in the authors original words

17. Benefits of RFB&D’s Audio Textbooks to Schools and Teachers • Enable schools to meet federal mandates requiring students be given equal access toeducation. • Facilitate placing some students in the least restrictive environment.

18. Benefits of RFB&D’s Audio Textbooks to Schools and Teachers cont. • Time saver • Help with classroom management

19. RFB&D’s Audio Textbook Formats • RFB&D’s AudioPlus • RFB&D’s Classic Cassettes

20. Playing RFB&D’s AudioPlus™ CDs • RFB&D’s books on CD must be played on a special CD player • Requires a PIN to access books

21. Playing RFB&D’s AudioPlus™ CDs cont. Basic CD Player Functions: • Turning on the machine • Playing the CD • Adjusting the volume • Adjusting the speed • Stop • Turning off the machine

22. Playing RFB&D’s AudioPlus™ CDs cont. Basic Navigation: • Jumping to a specific page • Jumping to a chapter

23. Playing RFB&D’s AudioPlus™ CDs cont. Accessories: • Headsets • Adaptors that allow more than one student to listen at the same time

24. Integrating RFB&D’s Audio Books into Your Classroom Audio Books can be used: • Whenever and wherever reading occurs • In whole group, small group or individually

25. Integrating RFB&D’s Audio Books into Your Classroom cont. • With graphic organizers and related reading activities: • Webbing • Story Maps • KWL • Sequencing (see RFB&D graphic organizers)

26. Audio Book Integration Ideas • Learning centers or stations • Cooperative group activities • Guided reading activities • Repeated reading activities • Research • Independent silent reading (DEAR) • Library/Media centers • Homework

27. Complimentary Memberships and Equipment for GUA Participants • One-year Annual Institutional Membership (AIM) for school • Special CD player • AudioPlus books used in Urban Academy language arts session (grade specific) • Two headsets and y-adaptor

28. Instructions for joining RFB&D as a GUA member • Complete Teacher Information sheet • Select a contact person from your school – must be a GUA participant • Give contact person your Teacher Information sheets

29. Responsibilities of the Contact Person • Order at least one CD in order to activate membership • Responsible for equipment when it arrives • Store CDs and equipment (at least temporarily) • Disseminate equipment and CDs • Fill out and return RFB&D certification forms • Order books for school throughout the year

30. Instructions for the Contact Person at GUA • Complete an RFB&D AIM application – school addresses only • Collect Teacher Information sheets from each of their school’s GUA participant • Attach Teacher Information forms to AIM application • Turn in no later than Friday morning to RFB&D staff member

31. Training and Support Tools • Training Videos • Visual instruction Guides • Audio instructions • Interactive training tool • Classroom integration techniques

32. Training and Support Tools cont. • Teacher’s Aide Newsletter • RFB&D’s website – www.rfbd.org • Local teacher training (where available) • Mentoring through RFB&D’s Master Teacher Network

33. RFB&D’s Website www.rfbd.org

34. RFB&D’s Website cont. • On-line catalog of titles • Downloadable membership applications • Information about RFB&D’s playback equipment and accessories • Current news about digital audio books on CD and playback technology