Digital tool: Voki in the classroom
Image retrieved from https://voki.com/classroom/login_status.php
Avatars such as Voki are a great multimedia tool that can be used in the classroom. A Voki is a computer generated talking voice avatar which features a wide range of characters to choose from plus the ability to customise and change the look, clothing and accessories. Furthermore Avatar features voice setting and the ability to upload audio via phone, microphone and text to speech with features to change the language and voice type. Finally Voki allows the user to choose a background from the library or upload your own. Voki classroom is now available for teachers to easily manage student work with class accounts. Voki classroom features the ability to manage students’ work, mange classes and lessons, review students’ work and showcase them in a protected and safe environment. Just from this brief description it is clear that there are endless possibilities with this tool which can be effectively implemented in a classroom setting. In past experiences, I have created a WebQuest for a prep classroom which was scaffolded by a Voki that was customised to take the role of Lucky from ‘101 Dalmatians’. In that short time experiencing Voki, I discovered some of the unique roles that these speaking avatars can play in an online environment. Voki can be used effectively to introduce new topics, concepts or ideas and acts a great aid for students who are audio and visual learners. Above all, Voki is a great way to get all students involved in learning and have whilst they do it.
Available through the Voki website are spaces called ‘Teachers corner’, ‘Voki Blog’ and ‘Voki lesson plan database’. These spaces are great because they allow teachers the opportunity to discover useful tips, interviews and lesson plans of how other educators across the globe implement Voki within their classroom environment.
To effectively analyse Voki, I have used a thinking routine PMI, which is inserted below.
Plus | Minus | Interesting |
· Engaging · Collaborative · Safe and protected environment t · Lesson plans are available for teachers · Free · Can be personalised or can take on other characters/ppl · Encourages literacy skills · Encourages visual literacy skills · Innovative and expressive · Caters for individual learning needs and learning styles · Ownership of work | · Distracting · Time consuming · Requires high scaffolding | · ‘Teachers corner’, ‘Voki Blog’ and ‘Voki lesson plan database’ allow teachers to discover useful tips, interviews and lesson plans of how educators across the globe implement Voki within their classroom environment. · Can be effectively used across all KLA’s · Can make homework and class work assignments educational and entertaining · Now easy to manage class accounts with ‘Voki Classroom’. |
Check out my Voki inserted below
Below is a YouTube clip explaining the effectiveness of Voki Classroom and how Voki can EDUCATE and ENGAGE and overall help students ENJOY learning.
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