Dictionaries may look like books, but they don't act like them. In this presentation of the O'Reilly Tools For Change conference, Erin McKean, Chief Consulting Editor for American Dictionaries at Oxford University Press, explains the characteristics of books, why the book isn't a good form for dictionaries to take, and how the information in dictionaries could better be disseminated.

People learning to read will soon be able to use a handheld device to practice their reading skills when trained teachers and the Internet are not available. Using inexpensive hardware, Literacy Bridge plans to provide Talking Book audio players/recorders in developing nations starting this fall, with a goal of selling them for $10 per device or less. Listen to Cliff Schmidt describe the Talking Book and the benefits it will bring to people in far-flung locations.

More than 1000 used computers will gain new life at Installfest at LinuxWorld, where volunteers will install new Linux and open source software over four days. The refurbished computers are donated to needy schools. Andrew Fife explains how it works, and how you can help this effort.

Jean-Claude Bradley, an associate professor of chemistry at Drexel University, is a pioneering practitioner of open notebook science. On this edition of Interviews with Innovators, Bradley explains to host Jon Udell that he believes scientific research happens better and faster when the entire process is transparently narrated online.

Beulah Thumbadoo talks about her experiences promoting adult literacy, first from within government and university, and then through her own organization. Talking with Design for Change host Sheela Sethuraman, she also shares advice from her experience on social entrepreneurship.

While volunteering at a charter school, Rafael Alvarez was confronted with some shocking information--hardly any students in the senior class had plans to attend college. So, in true social entrepreneurial fashion, he decided to match up this under-served market with another under-served market, entry level IT. Talking with Design for Change host Sheela Sethuraman, he explains how Genesys Works prepares students technically and professionally to enter a corporate environment and change their lives.

Mathematician, magician and lightening fast human calculator Arthur Benjamin delights and amazes the Etech crowd with some stunning numerical acrobatics. In an interactive, high energy performance, he demonstrates and explains the secrets of rapid mental calculation, providing a fascinating window into how the mind thinks. If you've been wondering how to square 73,542 in your head, be sure to listen through to the end of the show.

AIDS in South Africa has left millions of children without parents or any resources to help themselves. In this discussion with Design for Change host Sheela Sethuraman, Kim Feinberg describes how her organization, the Tomorrow Trust, uses education to help these children grow into self sufficient, economically productive, and socially included adults.

What do you get when you combine a love of Bollywood music videos with widespread illiteracy? Brij Kothari sees an opportunity to make the world a better place. By subtitling popular entertainment, he helps millions learn to read in a fun way. He's also creating multiplatform stories that will be seen on TV, read on mobile phones, and printed in books. Talking for Design for Change host Sheela Sethuraman, Kothari describes how he improves lives by incorporating education into everyday entertainment.

On this edition of IEEE Spectrum Radio, class A ranked chess player Paul Hoffman talks about his new book "King's Gambit: A Son, a Father, and the World's Most Dangerous Game." Hoffman also discusses how he has been involved with chess, from playing in competitions, to using chess as an educational tool.