Abstract:

“Audio Books” in the open and distance learning system are among the learning materials which allow studying by the visually impaired learners as well as learners desiring to learn by listening. A part of the audio recording of more than 1,000 course books in the open and distance learning system was made in the laboratories of the TV Production Centre but most of these books were narrated automatically by computer software. Considering the learner’s demand for the human-read books, a project for the production of audiobooks has been initiated. In this project, books are recorded as audio books in “DAISY” format. In audio books recorded in DAISY format, headings and pages are marked. By this means, learners are guided on the basis of pages and headings. This may mean easier access by the visually impaired learners.

When selecting the books to be audio recorded, programmes with the highest number of visually impaired learners were prioritized. In the project which was kicked off in May, 2015, firstly e-mails concerning audio recording of books were sent to 1,500 academicians and demands in this regard were collected. Accordingly, an information meeting consisting of two sessions was held for 455 academicians. Participating academicians were re-asked to assume tasks and 324 academicians were assigned for authorship/editorship, e-seminars; and course books were delegated to them by prioritizing their professional fields.

Audio recording process is composed of stages as preparing the script of books, making an appointment with the studio for recording, audio recording in the studio in the determined period of time, controlling and revising the recorded audio book. Since start of the audio recording process in July, 2015 in the Anadolu University, 189 books have been recorded as audio books. Recording process of other books is still on-going.

Keywords:

Audio-book, daisy, distance learning.