Emerging Technologies: Avatars By: Hannah and Shari Bowden

Emerging Technologies: Avatars

By: Hanna Kramerand Shari Bowden

1Avatars: What are They?Avatars are animated characters which serve as a teacher or instructorAlso called animated pedagogical agent (APA)The degree of animation varies: some have few facial expressions; some are complete 3D full body animations. 2SIMPLE: MyWebFaceThe simplest version of an avatar can be created at mywebface.com. This is intended to be as close to a representation of you as possible. No real animation but can create different versions with expressions based on anger, confusion, etc. It is free.

This is Sharis lifelike avatar. ONE ADVANTAGE: avatars always have good hair days!

This is sad Shari.3Easy To Add VoiceCreate avatar then add a voice by converting text, recording, or adding audio filesIt is easy to add voice. An demo of how simple it is can be found here: www.oddcast.com/home/demos/tts/tts_example.phpCreates a file for sharing via social media, e-mail, etc. Its FREE good for student projects and presentations.

4Voki.comhttp://voki.com/Voki is an easy to use website which specializes in creating avatars specifically to use in an educational settingHere is an example of an avatar of Hanna with voice: http://www.voki.com/pickup.php?scid=8292282&height=267&width=200Avatars can be created in under 5 minutes Voki.com offers sample lesson plans for various grades and topics which provide formats of how to use avatars in the classroomFull AnimationFull animation is more complex and generally, more costly.Associated with computer-based learning platformStudies show increased student motivation when empathy is shown by avatar.Avatar-narrated videos are possible to create at: http://www.livingactor.com/Presenter/demo6Example in Computer-Based Learning

7Uses in training and educationIndustrial setting: getting a consistent message to a large number of people. (new technology increased interest in the materials)Student projects students dont have to stand in front of class and presentEmbed in blogs and websitesComputer-based learning is enhanced by avatars teaching the classes8Benefits of avatars in educationAvatars can replace the need for a teacher to be present at a lesson, yet still offer a similar visual stimulation. Avatars offer the opportunity of having a variety of cartoon-like figures (Voki.com has the option of animal or celebrity avatars) teaching lessons which could enhance attentiveness amongst students.Computer-based learning can be more visually stimulating with the use of an avatar in place of the instructor.

Avatars and biasesStudies show that the gender and ethnicity of avatars affect students assessments of the ability of the virtual teacher (Beck, 2012). Students can have the same expectations of a teacher who is physically present or of the animated representation of the teacher.This knowledge can be used to educate students about inaccurate biases they unknowingly possess.ASSURE ModelA- Analyze LearnersS- State ObjectivesS- Select Methods, Media, and Materials U- Utilize Media, Materials, and Methods R- Require Learner Participation E- Evaluate & Revise ReferencesChin, G., Lee, J., Wang, C., Chao, P., Li, L., and Lee, T.Y. (2011). An empathic avatar in a computer-aided learning program to encourage and persuade learners. Educational Technology and Society, 15(2), 62-72.Beck, D. (2012). The influence of gender and ethnicity of student avatars on teachers expectations and perceptions. International Journal of Gaming and Computer Mediated Simulations, 4(1), 1-24.

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