In a world where digital resources are becoming increasingly integral to our learning and teaching methods, understanding and using platforms like Audible can significantly improve our educational experiences. This guide is designed to explore the countless ways Audible can enrich students' lives by offering a wealth of literary resources at their fingertips.
Whether you're looking to expand your learning tools, find new ways to interact with books, or just curious about what Audible has to offer, this post will provide you with interesting details and tips.
So, let's embark on this listening journey and discover how Audible can transform the way students interact with books and learning materials.
Audible Membership Plans
Audible, with its range of membership plans, offers a rich and flexible listening experience that meets various needs and preferences. Let's take a look at how Audible works and the different plans it offers, so you can see how it could fit into your or your students' reading journey.
1. Audible Plus Membership
- What you get: This is the basic level membership. For $7.95 a month, members get unlimited streaming and listening to the Audible Plus catalog. This includes thousands of audiobooks, podcasts, and Audible Originals.
- How does it work: Search for titles tagged as “included” and start streaming instantly. You can also download titles to listen to offline.
- Ideal for: Those who enjoy a wide range of listening options and prefer streaming.
2. Audible Premium Plus Membership
- Premium Plus – 1 Credit: For $14.95 per month, this plan includes all the benefits of Audible Plus, plus one credit per month to purchase any title in the Premium selection. These titles are yours to keep forever.
- Premium Plus – 2 Credits: For $22.95 a month, members get two credits each month, plus access to Catalog Plus.
- Annual options: There are two annual subscriptions available. The 12-credit plan at $149.50 per year and the 24-credit plan at $229.50 per year. These give you immediate access to 12 or 24 credits respectively, along with the Catalog Plus.
- Benefits: These plans are great for those who want to own their audiobooks and access exclusive sales and discounts on additional purchases.
3. Free Trial: Test the Waters
- 30-day free trial: Both Audible Plus and Audible Premium Plus offer a 30-day free trial, perfect for new members to explore the service without any commitment. After the trial, your chosen plan will begin, billed monthly.
Audible credits
In the world of Audible, one of the key components of membership is the concept of “credits.” Let's dive into what these credits are and how they work within the Audible ecosystem.
Think of credits as Audible's own currency. Each credit can be redeemed for any audiobook in their extensive catalog, regardless of the audiobook's list price. The number of credits you receive depends on the type of membership plan you are on. For example, some plans offer one credit per month, while others offer two credits or more, especially on annual plans.
A credit can be used to “purchase” any security. This means you can get that expensive audiobook you've been eyeing for no additional costs, as long as you have credit.
Do credits expire? Yes, credits do have an expiration date. You have one year from the date of issue to use any credit you receive. This encourages members to stay interested and explore new titles regularly.
Audible occasionally runs special offers where members can purchase additional credits at a discounted rate. This is great for heavy listeners or to accumulate credits for future use.
For us in education, credits offer a fantastic opportunity to explore a wide range of literature and educational material. It's also a perfect way to recommend books to students without worrying about their cost. However, it is important to keep track of credits and their expiration dates to ensure they are used efficiently.
Free audiobooks on Audible
Yeah, Audible members Get access to free audiobooks, and this feature is a real gem for educators and students alike.
Audible offers a changing variety of free audiobooks to its members. This selection is updated frequently, ensuring there is always something new to discover. Highlights of these free offerings include Audible Originals. These are exclusive titles created by Audible, spanning various genres and themes, providing a unique listening experience.
How does Audible work?
This is how you and your students can immerse yourself in the world of Audible audiobooks, no matter where you are or what device you're using.
- Device Compatibility: The free Audible app is widely accessible. It can be downloaded on iOS, Android and Windows devices. This means that whether you have an iPhone, a Samsung Galaxy, or a Windows laptop, you're covered.
- Beyond smartphones and computers: But it's not just limited to phones and computers. Audible also works perfectly on compatible Fire tablets and Kindles. This is ideal for those who prefer e-readers or tablets for their digital reading experiences.
- Expanding to home devices: For a more immersive listening experience, Audible is compatible with Sonos devices. Imagine playing an audiobook through your home audio system—it's perfect for group listening or when you want to give your eyes a break.
Audible Family Plan
When it comes to Audible, while there is no specific family plan, there is an alternative solution that can be quite beneficial: the Amazon Home Library. This feature allows you to share audiobooks between devices within a family. Let's dive into how it works and how it can be a useful tool for families.
To use this feature, you must create an Amazon Home Library. This involves linking two Amazon accounts into a single “home,” allowing content to be shared, including Audible audiobooks.
Once set up, audiobooks can be shared between devices linked to these Amazon accounts. This means that if you purchase an audiobook on your account, your family member will also be able to access it on their device.
For families, especially those with avid readers, the ability to share audiobooks can be profitable. Instead of purchasing multiple copies of the same audiobook, two members can enjoy one purchase.
From an educational standpoint, this sharing feature is invaluable. It allows parents and children, or even siblings, to access the same materials, facilitating discussions and shared learning experiences.
However, there are some limitations! It is important to note that this sharing is limited to two adults in a household. Each adult must have their own Amazon account and agree to share payment methods. Additionally, shared accounts will have access to view and use each other's payment methods, so mutual trust and understanding over usage is essential.
Related: Amazon Prime Benefits for Teachers, Parents, and Students
Final thoughts
incorporating Audible in our educational practices offers a modern approach to reading and learning. It's not just about the convenience of having books in audio format; It is about adopting a new dimension of learning where listening complements reading, where stories and knowledge are more accessible than ever.
So whether you're a teacher looking to supplement your classroom resources, a student looking to expand your literary horizons, or a parent looking to foster a love of reading in your family, Audible offers a world of possibilities.
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