Audible for Students: A Comprehensive Guide

In a world where digital resources are becoming increasingly integral to our learning and teaching methods, understanding and utilizing platforms like Audible can significantly enhance our educational experiences. This guide is crafted to explore the myriad of ways Audible can enrich the lives of students, offering a trove of literary resources at their fingertips.

Whether you’re looking to expand your learning tools, find new ways to engage with books, or simply curious about what Audible has to offer, this post will provide you with insightful details and tips.

So, let’s embark on this auditory 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 flexible and rich listening experience that caters to various needs and preferences. Let’s break down how Audible works and the different plans it offers, so you can see how it might fit into your or your students’ reading journey.

1. Audible Plus Membership

• What You Get: This is the base-level membership. For $7.95 a month, members get unlimited streaming and listening from the Audible Plus Catalog. This includes thousands of audiobooks, podcasts, and Audible Originals.
• How It Works: Look for titles tagged as “included” and start streaming instantly. You can also download titles for offline listening.
• Ideal For: Those who enjoy a wide range of listening options and prefer streaming.

2. Audible Premium Plus Membership

• Premium Plus – 1 Credit: At $14.95 a month, this plan includes all the perks of Audible Plus, plus one credit per month to purchase any title from 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, on top of the Plus Catalog access.
• Annual Options: There are two annual subscriptions available. The 12-Credits plan at $149.50 per year and the 24-Credits plan at $229.50 per year. These give you immediate access to 12 or 24 credits respectively, along with the Plus Catalog.
• 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, the chosen plan will start, billed monthly.

Audible Credits

In the world of Audible, one of the key components of the membership is the concept of ‘credits’. Let’s delve into what these credits are and how they function within the Audible ecosystem.

Think of credits as Audible’s own currency. Each credit can be exchanged for any audiobook in their vast catalog, regardless of the audiobook’s listed price. The number of credits you receive depends on the type of membership plan you’re on. For instance, some plans offer one credit per month, while others provide two credits or more, especially in annual plans.

A credit can be used to ‘purchase’ any title. This means you can get your hands on that expensive audiobook you’ve been eyeing without additional costs, as long as you have a 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 engaged and explore new titles regularly.

Audible occasionally rolls out special offers where members can purchase additional credits at a discounted rate. This is great for heavy listeners or for stocking up on credits for future use.

For us in the educational field, 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 the worry of their cost. However, it’s important to keep track of the credits and their expiry dates to ensure they are utilized efficiently.

Free Audiobooks on Audible

Yes, Audible members do get access to free audiobooks, and this feature is a real gem for both educators and students alike.

Audible provides a changing array of free audiobooks to its members. This selection is updated frequently, ensuring there’s always something new to discover. A highlight of these free offerings includes Audible Originals. These are exclusive titles created by Audible, spanning various genres and topics, providing a unique listening experience.

How Does Audible Work?

Here’s how you and your students can dive into the world of Audible audiobooks, no matter where you are or what device you’re using.

1. Device Compatibility: The free Audible app is widely accessible. It can be downloaded on iOS, Android, and Windows devices. This means whether you have an iPhone, a Samsung Galaxy, or a Windows laptop, you’re covered.
2. Beyond Smartphones and Computers: But it’s not just limited to phones and computers. Audible also works seamlessly on compatible Fire tablets and Kindles. This is great for those who prefer e-readers or tablets for their digital reading experiences.
3. 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 rest.

Audible Family Plan

When it comes to Audible, while there isn’t a specific family plan, there is a workaround that can be quite beneficial – the Amazon Household Library. This feature allows for the sharing of audiobooks across devices within a family. Let’s delve into how this works and how it can be a useful tool for families.

To use this feature, you need to create an Amazon Household Library. This involves linking two Amazon accounts under a single ‘household’, enabling the sharing of content, including Audible audiobooks.

Once set up, the audiobooks can be shared across devices linked to these Amazon accounts. This means if you purchase an audiobook on your account, your family member can access it on their device as well.

For families, especially those with avid readers, the ability to share audiobooks can be cost-effective. Instead of purchasing multiple copies of the same audiobook, one purchase can be enjoyed by two members.

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’s 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. Also, shared accounts will have access to view and use each other’s payment methods, so it’s essential to have mutual trust and understanding about the usage.

Related: Amazon Prime Benefits for Teachers, Parents and Students

Final Thoughts

Incorporating Audible into 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’s about embracing a new dimension of learning where listening complements reading, where stories and knowledge are more accessible than ever before.

So, whether you’re a teacher looking to supplement your classroom resources, a student aiming to broaden your literary horizons, or a parent seeking to foster a love for reading in your family, Audible offers a world of possibilities.

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