Introducing RFB&D's Learning Through Listening® (LTL) program into your classroom is an exciting adventure into learning for both you and your students. LTL will open new doors of knowledge for your students that may have been closed in the past. As with any new program, there will be a period of adjustment while it is being introduced to your class. Below is a list of ideas for incorporating RFB&D smoothly and easily into your classroom.
Have your program administrator's contact information handy. If you run into a problem with equipment or books, you can contact him or her and solve it quickly.
Clarify what type of audiobooks your school will be using. RFB&D offers different ways to listen to audiobooks: AudioAccessSM downloadable books, AudioPlus® books (downloadable or on CD), or any combination of these.
Be aware of your LTL membership level and the number of books you can order. Keep a record of the titles you have ordered, or if you have an online account at www.rfbd.org, you can check your order limits under "My Account."
Download our Book Tracking form
Download in PDF format
Download in RTF format
Place your book orders as soon as you know what you will need for the school year. You may call the LTL member services toll-free number or use RFB&D's Online Catalog and Ordering Center to place your order or check the most current information regarding book availability. RFB&D's peak season for producing AudioPlus books on CD is August through mid-October and December through January.
If you are using AudioAccess or AudioAccess downloadable books, be sure to download the books prior to student usage. Once you place your order, you are ready to begin downloading. Visit http://support.rfbd.org for a step-by-step guide to downloadable AudioAccess books and http://support.rfbd.org/audioplus/ for a guide to downloadable AudioPlus books.
If you order equipment, choose a place to store it. To avoid any problems, you should store your equipment securely in a locking cabinet or closet and away from dust and debris.
Clearly designate for your students the times during the day when it is appropriate for them to use their audiobook playback system. Consider creating a schedule that defines the specific subjects and days when they can use the players.
If you are using AudioPlus digital books on CD, familiarize yourself with the playback equipment ahead of time. You can set the example of proper equipment usage and handling for your students. RFB&D has developed quick reference training guides for each player and software package it offers and for the RFB&D Audiobook Training Tool (ATT) that provides training for the hardware playback equipment. You can order the training guides and the ATT through RFB&D's Member Services Department or through RFB&D's Online Catalog and Ordering Center.
Enlist parental or guardian support.
- Send home a letter introducing RFB&D and its programs and services to parents. Download a form letter in a PDF or Rich Text format.
Download in PDF format
Download in RTF format
- Invite parents to participate with students during equipment training sessions.
- Introduce RFB&D to parents through your school's Parent Teacher Organization (PTO).
- Discuss the positive benefits of RFB&D on their child's learning during the student's Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meeting.
- Provide information on RFB&D during "Back to School" night.
- Invite parents to browse www.rfbd.org for more information about RFB&D and for purchasing an individual membership for their child to use at home.
Organize your RFB&D AudioPlus books for easy access.
- Label and code books with coordinating color stickers, matching labels, sticky notes or subject-specific stickers.
- Store both the text and audiobooks in large zip-lock bags.
Teach students to track their RFB&D usage on individual charts. Keep the charts to monitor progress and usage.
Student Listening Logs: Use this downloadable log to help students keep track of which subjects they use audiobooks in and how much time they spend listening to audiobooks.
Download our Student Listening Log
Download in PDF format
Download in RTF format
Establish a routine for equipment usage in your classroom. Decide if your class is best suited for a listening station or for individual usage at the student's desk/computers.
- If you choose a listening station:
- Designate an area to be used and have the necessary equipment and books handy.
- Have the quick reference guides available for the students to refer to.
- If you choose individual desk usage:
- Establish an organized system for checking equipment and books in and out. Some suggestions are sign out sheets, index cards or storage bins.
- Incorporate RFB&D into your student job assignments. An example of an RFB&D job might be "Equipment Manager" or "RFB&D Reporter."
Create student contracts. The contracts will help to ensure proper usage and storage of the equipment.
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