Leighanne Scheuermann, a reading specialist, says that audiobooks require their own skill set. Listening to one is not taking the easy way out.

“The reader must be able to maintain focus and practice comprehension skills, such as pausing to take notes and ask questions,” she said. “Readers learn to reread or re-listen to areas they did not understand. Children must also practice inferencing skills to understand unfamiliar or new vocabulary words.”

Jill Valerius, a fourth grade teacher, regularly uses podcasts with her students. Right now, it’s "Six Minutes," a mystery and science fiction podcast for kids.

“They love ‘podcast time,’” Valerius said. “Our class goal this year is to improve our active listening skills, and podcasts are a great way to do that.”