Six recent education audiobooks offer insights into the changing experience of school and college today, from how parents can choose the best education method for their children to the benefits of technology in the classroom.
RETHINKING SCHOOL: How to Take Charge of Your Child’s Education
by Susan Wise Bauer, read by Christina Moore
Recorded Books
Bauer takes traditional schooling to task for the ways it disregards the needs of dynamic individual learners for the sake of convenience. Narrator Christina Moore communicates Bauer’s frustration with the standardization of learning but also captures the enthusiasm that Bauer has for discovering the right strategies for learning for each child.
YOU, YOUR CHILD, AND SCHOOL: Navigate Your Way to the Best Education
By Sir Ken Robinson, Lou Aronica, read by Sir Ken Robinson
Penguin Audio
Renowned educator Ken Robinson guides listeners through the many decisions and repercussions parents are likely to face as they set off on different pathways for their child’s education. With his British accent and mature voice, Robinson offers wisdom, candor, and kindness.
ROBOT-PROOF: Higher Education in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
by Joseph E. Aoun, read by John Glouchevitch
Gildan Media
Aoun wants colleges to rethink what it means to earn a degree in an age of automation. Narrator John Glouchevitch’s gentle voice invites listeners to consider the importance of the author’s message. As Aoun repositions higher education as a place to embed flexibility and fluidity through learning and thinking, Glouchevitch uses emphasis and timing to draw out the deeper points of the audiobook.
REWIRING EDUCATION: How Technology Can Unlock Every Student’s Potential
by John D. Couch, Jason Towne, Steve Wozniak [Fore.], read by P.J. Ochlan
Tantor Media
P.J. Ochlan narrates this case for technology in the classroom. Vice President of Education at Apple, Couch shares the results of Apple’s research study, Apple Classrooms of Tomorrow, and other classroom technology initiatives.
THE NEW EDUCATION: How to Revolutionize the University to Prepare Students for a World In Flux
by Cathy N. Davidson, read by Carolyn Cook
Hachette Audio
Davidson starts this deep dive into higher education and where it should go by looking back at the last time higher education revolutionized itself—in second half of the late 1800s. Carolyn Cook deftly narrates this audiobook in a tone that captures Davidson’s love of recent innovations in higher education—such as community colleges, MOOCs, and student-centered learning— and her frustration with what is seemingly unchanged—large lecture classes, multiple-choice testing, and pointless assignments.
YOU CAN DO ANYTHING: The Surprising Power of a “Useless” Liberal Arts Education
by George Anders, read by George Anders
Hachette Audio
George Anders reads his long refutation of the idea that liberal arts degrees are useless with amiable conviction. He makes his case systematically, sharing stories of people who turned years of studying subjects like literature and anthropology into interesting, surprising, sustainable careers. An inspiring and practical listen for students and people looking to make a change in their careers.
This post has been adapted from the original Audiobooks and Literacy column published in the August/September 2018 issue of AudioFile Magazine.
