Mid-Term Presentation (98908): Voki (Creating Avatars)

Entering Week 8 of my course, we have been asked to select one online tool to present and share with our classmates.

After visiting the website, 100+ examples of use of social media for learning site, I have chosen to present on a free service called Voki.

According to our syllabus, the presentation should address four components:

• Justification for choosing tools
• Pros and Cons associated with its specific use in your school or professional context
• Tools ability to support present or personal area
• Comprehensibility in synchronous and asynchronous setting    

Below is an example of the four slides I will share with my class using Adobe Connect (virtual classroom). 

(Note:Originally, I uploaded my PowerPoint to SlideShare, but my Voki and YouTube video would not play)

Slide 1: Introduction to Voki

Slide 2: Pros to Using Voki in My Workplace

• Ideal for online classroom/training (Asynchronous)
• Adds ‘Human Element’ to online lessons

• Can be used to supplement Synchronous sessions
• Use Voki to replace Help/FAQs section

• Use with learners who have low literacy

• Can add your voice or choose variety of computerized voices and accents

• Can select a human or non-human Voki

• Non human could be used for younger learners—class projects about animals

• Can add Voki to other social media/programs
• Facebook, blogs, Twitter, PowerPoint, email

• Voki Classroom is a LMS with Blog, Teachers’ Corner, and other supports

Slide 3: Cons to Using Voki in My Workplace

• Challenge to transfer Voki to PowerPoint (Used SnagIt to record Voki)

• Difficult to add voice to Voki by phone or internal computer microphone

• Computerized voice sounds very artificial/non-human

• 3-Dimensional/ ‘human looking’ Vokis are only for Voki classroom

• Non-human Vokis will not be taken seriously in the world of work/ training

• Limited time for audio recordings = multiple Voki files

• Voki for the classroom has an annual fee

Slide 4: Introduction to Voki Classroom 

• Small annual fee = $30/yr or $45/ 2yrs
• Up to 100 students & 5 classes
• Allows shy students to become more involved
• Instructor can introduce course and/or specific topics with Voki
• Students can share comments locally and globally

 

Sources:  

http://www.squidoo.com/voki

https://voki.com/classroom/faq.php

Please share your comments and experiences using Voki in your workplace...