RFB&D’s Learning Through

Listening™

About RFB&D

• National non profit

• World’s largest lending library of audio textbooks

• 90,000+-volume library

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”

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.

About RFB&D cont.102,000 Active Members in 2001

LD/Dyslexic70%

Blind/Visually Impaired

27%

Physically Disabled

3%

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

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

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

RFB&D Learning Through Listening Memberships

• Annual Institutional Membership (AIM)

• Individual

Direct Instruction and Accommodations

Reading problems are addressed two ways:

• Direct Instruction

• Accommodations

Direct Instruction and Accommodations cont.

Direct Instruction:

• Systematic instruction in basic skills

• Assumes that the reading problems can be “fixed.”

Direct Instruction and Accommodations cont.

Accommodations:

• Adaptations and modifications of curriculum and instructional practices

• Compensate for disabilities

• Enable students to complete grade level work

Direct Instruction and Accommodations cont.

Accommodations cont.:

• Make learning possible and independent

• Complement, support and enhance direct instruction

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

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

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

Benefits of RFB&D’s Audio Textbooks to Schools and Teachers

• Enable schools to meet federal mandates requiring students be given equal access to education.

• Facilitate placing some students in the least restrictive environment.

Benefits of RFB&D’s Audio Textbooks to Schools and Teachers cont.

• Time saver

• Help with classroom management

RFB&D’s Audio Textbook Formats

• RFB&D’s AudioPlus

• RFB&D’s Classic Cassettes

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

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

Playing RFB&D’s AudioPlus™ CDs cont.

Basic Navigation:

• Jumping to a specific page

• Jumping to a chapter

Playing RFB&D’s AudioPlus™ CDs cont.

Accessories:

• Headsets

• Adaptors that allow more than one student to listen at the same time

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

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)

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

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

Instructions for joining RFB&D as a GUA member

1. Complete Teacher Information sheet

2. Select a contact person from your school – must be a GUA participant

3. Give contact person your Teacher Information sheets

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

Instructions for the Contact Person at GUA

1. Complete an RFB&D AIM application – school addresses only

2. Collect Teacher Information sheets from each of their school’s GUA participant

3. Attach Teacher Information forms to AIM application

4. Turn in no later than Friday morning to RFB&D staff member

Training and Support Tools

• Training Videos

• Visual instruction Guides

• Audio instructions

• Interactive training tool

• Classroom integration techniques

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

RFB&D’s Website

www.rfbd.org

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