Audiobooks and Comprehension: What We Know and What We Need to Know

• In Event: Poster Session 3: Impact of Technology Tools on Reading and Writing Instruction

Abstract

The popularity of audiobooks is growing (Pew Research Center, 2019). Yet, far too little is known about the effectiveness of audiobooks on listeners’ comprehension or how comprehension with this medium compares to print. One of the first steps to address this limited understanding is to undertake a review of the literature. Therefore, the aims of this systematic review were: (a) describe the trends in the research on audiobook comprehension (b) synthesize what is known about the differences in comprehension across the audiobook and print mediums. Our search produced 31 empirical studies, which were charted and analyzed. Several important trends pertaining to study participants, text characteristics, and mode of presentation were identified and discussed. Recommendations for future research are also forwarded.

Authors

• Anisha Singh, University of Maryland - College Park

• Patricia A. Alexander, University of Maryland - College Park