DOWNINGS based business man Kieran Gallagher has ventured into the fast growing world of audio books, which is changing the way people learn.
The former North West Computers founder recently launched an online audio bookstore with more than 9,000 titles available.
Students no longer have to sit and read through Shakespeare, visualising the scenes, they can now listen to professional actors perform the plays on their MP3 players, computers or Ipods.
According to research seen by Mr Gallagher, students who read and listen to a work they are studying at the same time, absorb 40% more.
Speaking this week he said he sees a huge future for audiobooks as people's lifestyles change. By the end of 2005 the audio book download industry was worth $2 billion. It had risen by 150% over the previous year.
"I have been involved in web development for a while now. I have been given the franchise although you could not sort it by territory on the web. The market is global.
"Books for the Leaving Certificate can be downloaded and students can listen to Dickens, Joyce or Shakespeare while they are out jogging or sitting at home.
"In our world of multi-tasking, audiobooks give us the potential to learn during our spare time, commuting or even while working. Their sales potential looks bright as their popularity increases and more and more we view them as a valuable tool in our everyday lives," Kieran said.
While audio books have always been very popular with people who are blind, they can now also receive popular magazines in audio form. They can subscribe to receive their favourite magazine on a monthly/weekly basis.
Mr Gallagher explained how important audiobooks have always been in helping children learning to read.
"Now these same children have grown up and are using audiobooks books in college. It's a way to increase the number of books they read on a subject and also increases their comprehension of the books.
"I always wanted to work from home and this provided the ideal opportunity. I believe it has a great future and will appeal to a lot of different sectors. It is ideal for people wanting to learn another language too," he said.
STUDENT EARNING POTENTIAL
With more than 30 titles on the site relating to the Leaving Certificate and more than 30 foreign language audio books, students with their own web page can earn commission through the sale of audiobooks. The range of books covers Arts & Drama, Biography, Business, Crime & Thrillers, Fiction, Health & Recreation, History, Humour, Juvenile, Learn a Language, Radio Shows, Religion & Spiritual, Self Help and TV & Film.
Interested students who want to make commission should email info@best-audiobooks.com. All they need is a blog, bebo or web page.
At www.best-audiobooks.com listeners can download classic comedies such as the Fawlty Towers "Don't mention the War" episode.
"With predictions of audiobooks outselling printed books over the next number of years, the audiobook could make an ideal gift for an older family member for Christmas or Birthdays.
"With famous narrators lending their voices to read popular books and the digital media becoming more popular, people can download their favourite books and read them at a time that suits them.
"The Shakespeare plays are fully dramatised by a professional cast making it a great way to learn," he added.
The new audiobook store is at www.best-audiobooks.com
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