Voki – Get a Speaking Avatar!

An article by Darin Wagner    No Comments

I am fortunate to teach a few graduate technology-related workshops for Millersville University throughout the year, and I am always richer for the experience. During a workshop this past week I was introduced to Voki – a web site that allows individuals to create their own speaking avatar.

According to the web site, the name “Voki” is a combination of the Latin word for voice, vox, and Loki, the Norse god of mischief.

So how can you use Voki in classroom?

Well, Helen Otway offers some ideas…

• Students can create avatars, similar in looks or personalities, or not, and record a message that tells about themselves.

• Students can exchange these avatars with e-pals either within their own setting or anywhere in the world.

• Students can generate questions to ask their avatar e-pals.

• ESL (English as a Second Language) students can use the speaking avatars to practice and listen to their speech. They may use the computerized voice first then record their own voice when they feel more comfortable. Writing, reading and pronunciation are all practiced.

• Students can create an avatars resembling a character (or characters) from a story, add a setting and give it speech. The speech could be from the story or a creative point of view from the character on an event.

Other ideas I found online…

• “I use avatars to read the directions to the assignments I create. Love ‘em!!”

• “We are doing math word problems to start the class. I will record the problem in audio for my low readers and also give them some ideas about how they can go about solving the problem. Then, they will show me their work in a daily journal.” – Tim Childers

Can you think of other ways to use a Voki in your classroom?

Please share your thoughts!