Instructional Technology Ponderings

I really like Web 2.0 tools. They are accessible, as long as you have an Internet connection, and relatively easy to use. Here is a tool that has caught my eye today, Dipity. Dipity is an online software tool that allows you to create timelines, flipbooks, maps, and lists collaboratively. Yes, you can add information to a timeline and any other member of Dipity can add to it. I found one that is very interesting, a timeline of Internet fads and events.

I think I will have my students create a timeline. Hmm…

It is an interesting idea, using avatars on Web sites and in course management systems. It is believed that they have the potential to help guide students through the process of learning. I have created a Yahoo Avatar and posted my virtual resemblance to this message. I have also posted this avatar into my course management system - blackboard. Possibly, it will give my online students this semester an idea of what I look like. At least, virtually. Yahoo Avatar had many templates to choose from with many extra categories to embed into my image - from accessories to pets. I think one could become lost in the possibilities!

I have created an avatar using Voki but this service now places ads on your avatar. When using as an educational tool, I am not sure advertisements are a good idea.

Of course, you can create your own avatar using a paint program. This would be a static avatar - no movement. I think it would be effective though.

I was doing a little research on avatars in education when I came across this article, The secret life of avatars. What an interesting article. Using what education research identifies as good teaching to improve learning, a company, Global Matrix in England, has begun to develop avatars that can teach. Yes, teaching avatars. No human needed. Interesting idea.

Avatars are being utilized in schools around London, England - Not as teachers, but as guides on the side. Something similar to “talking notes”. If students are having difficulty with a lesson, they are guided by the avatar with practice problems in order to build skills and move on to the next level. If students have questions, at any point in a lesson, they can ask the avatar. A personal and hands on approach to teaching and mentoring a learner.

The U.S. Department of Education is looking into the possibility of avatars to help teach English to Spanish speaking students. Very interesting.

I tried to do a quick search on the company but came up with nothing. It truly is secret! Though, I did find proceedings discussing the U.S. Education Department’s interest in sign language avatars. Cool. To learn a bit more about signing avatars, meet Andy.