For ages, students have wondered if they can get textbooks as audio files. The answer is yes. In fact, audio textbooks are fast becoming valuable, easy-to-use study tools that can save you time.
I work with accessibility, and I’m in charge of making audio versions of OpenStax textbooks at Audileo. I’ve seen how audio can totally change a student’s study method.
Read: Best Audiobook Platform for Accessibility
Why Audio Textbooks Exist
Textbooks weren’t first thought out for ease of access or ease. They’re bulky, long, and can be a lot to handle, especially for students who:
- travel a distance to school
- work jobs
- have a hard time reading
- are learning English
- get tired or have eye-strain
Audio textbooks fix these issues by making learning easy to move around with, open to all, and adaptable. We at Audileo began making them because the need was obvious: Students wanted to learn, but the way the information was presented got in the way.
My Story: Audio Textbooks Shift When and Where Learning Occurs
I’ve used audio textbooks myself. Something you’ll soon notice is that you can learn anyplace.
Going for a walk? Cooking? Washing dishes? Taking the train? Too tired to look at pages? All these can become study times. For many college students, this changes 7–14 hours a week of wasted time into learning.
Listening as you read is also quite helpful, mainly for long or hard readings. It’s easier to stay attentive, and you don’t get tired as fast.
How We Make Audio Textbooks at Audileo
Some think audio textbooks just use a computer to read the text out loud. That’s not the case, at least not how we do it. Here’s how we do things:
- We use AI to narrate so it’s easy to understand.
- People check each chapter.
- We fix any hard or technical terms by hand.
We look over science, technology, engineering, and math terms, medical words, history names, chemicals, etc. The goal is basic: Make audio textbooks easy to follow, correct, and nice to hear for long blocks.
Who Gains Most From College Audiobooks?
We’ve spoken with students and teachers who say these four groups gain the most:
- Students Who Travel: If you travel an hour a day, you can turn that into 5–7 extra hours a week of studying without opening your books.
- Learners with Aides: Audio is key for many who can’t see well, or who have learning differences.
- Those Still Learning English: Audio is a great aid to learn, understand, and say new words. Listening as you read helps cement the meaning visually and verbally.
- Tired Students (so, everyone): When your eyes hurt, audio lets you keep learning until you can’t anymore
Where Audio Textbooks Are Best
You’ll see the best results from subjects such as:
- Psychology
- History
- Sociology
- Economics
- Biology (basic sections)
Math or engineering can also use audio, but you’ll want a real book close by for math and pictures. Hearing and seeing together make the best learning combo.
So… Can You Get Textbooks on Audio?
For sure. They can remake your study methods, the accessibility you have, and how much time you have to study. Audio textbooks don’t take the place of books, but they do grow what learning can be.
Tips to Get the Best From Audio Textbooks
- Try listening at 1.2–1.5x speed, based on the section.
- Use audio to look things over, or to prep for hard readings.
- Read as you listen for the hard parts.
- View travel and chores as small study times.
- Put a bookmark on hard parts to look back at.
These quick habits add up fast.
Where to Find Great Audio Textbooks
If you want great audio versions of OpenStax textbooks that people have checked, we make them at Audileo.com. Each book is created to be easy to understand, and the list is growing.
Final Thought
Textbooks on audio aren’t just doable, they’re easy, open to all, and more vital. Whether you’re a student, teacher, or school, audio textbooks make it easy for all to learn, no matter what kind of schedule, method, or needs they have. If you’re interested, start with any part. Most students realize that audio feels like the method they’ve been missing.