Voki: Personalised Speaking Avatar

If you like the idea of using technology in classroom to boost students' motivation, using a tool called Voki might be a good idea. Voki is a fun and engaging web application that allows users to create their own talking avatar and customized them by adding voices and other features. Take a look at this video below to know more about Voki.

 

How do we start?

To start using Voki, you can directly to voki.com and create your own character along with its voice. To edit and save your avatar you need to login or make an account using your email address.

 

What does it do?

When you go to Voki.com without logging in, you can make your avatar. However, you will need to logged in once you want to save your project. So, it is better for you to sign up for Voki before making your avatar.

 

Customize your character:  You can easily change your head and features of your face as well as clothing, and accessories. 

Give it a voice: You can record yourself, type a text and let the tool convert it into speech or upload your own recording files.

You can easily customized the color of your avatar.

 

What are the benefits for your classroom?

Authenticity: Voki enhances students' speaking ability while promoting communication between learners with real audiences. 

Engaging: Engage your students in creative expressions by using technology in a fun way. 

Motivating: It is also makes classroom activity interesting but it does not replace teacher and student communication.  

Autonomy:  Voki allows students to explore on their own using their creativity to make avatars and then collaborate and share the creation with their friends.

Shy students: This tool provides opportunity for shy learners to perform oral task in a less pressured way without feeling intimidated.

Drilling: Students can repeat and practice pronunciation with their avatar at their own time and space 

Sharing: Incorporate your avatar into a variety of topics, activities in the classroom, web page or blog.

What are the limitations?

Text limitations : Text limitations restrict from giving in-depth response.  

Accents : The accents provided by the tools are not always native-like accents.

Variety : The experience that Voki provide does not change much, teachers might need to provide additional tasks.