Avatar+Ideas

  Create a list of ideas for how avatars could be used to support instructional activities.

Avatars in Education

 * 1) Deliver content to visitors (greetings, directions, announcements, reminders, etc.).
 * 2) Hide student identities (security/privacy concerns).
 * 3) Podcast alternative (for the camera-shy).
 * 4) Interact with your virtual self (create a lecture that is more of a conversation)
 * 5) Track behavior management (toss out the old R,Y,G chart)
 * 6) Tour guide.
 * 7) Term definitions.
 * 8) Incorporate into a slideshow or interactive whiteboard lesson.
 * 9) Spark creativity and interest.
 * 10) Identify with the “younger set” (i.e. "cool points").
 * 11) Create book trailers (avatar is a character from story; "hooks" the audience).
 * 12) Create an avatar and then write a story about it.
 * 13) Have students write instructions on how to create a character, then swap descriptions to see if they can recreate it following each others' directions.
 * 14) Recreate characters…based on readings, what do the characters look like?
 * 15) Put the avatars in famous places and points in history, then have student write about the place and or event from a first person point of view.
 * 16) Create extensions of students' personalities. Provide a window into students' self images; self-esteem considerations.
 * 17) Develop tech skills.
 * 18) Follow directions to create and maintain avatars.
 * 19) Ice-breaker: get-to-know-you activities.
 * 20) Identify/recognize personal features and attributes; give the avatar the same (or radically different) features.
 * 21) Help students with disabilities better communicate (example: speech therapy applications).
 * 22) Classroom mascot/cheerleader: applauds students' accomplishments, encourages students' effort.
 * 23) **What can you add to the list?...**