Engaging students using animated characters – hosting

student experiences online

Dr Lisa Cluett

ATEM-SSCC-09. 24th April 2009

Justification

UWA

context

OSJ

Project

NODE

surveys

• We think professional staff are key to student engagement

• We place a high value on experiences and stories

• We think online services can be part of a good program

• We think there are levels of interactivity of Web 2.0 tools

• We are close to knowing what our students want

Principles of learning and service delivery

Building on f2f programs

Getting more value

Student storytelling

Issues of trust and connection

Ease of adaptability

Widens student participation

Part of the puzzle

Examples

Student describing how they improved their English language skills

Rural student talking about moving to Perth and living in a UWA college

Staff inviting students to join a new program

Building a campaign to promote an event

Creating a distinct ‘character’ to talk to users

Issues

Issues for users

Accessibility – text transcripts, info on file size

Interaction – subscription, posting questions, blog, folksonomy

Issues for ICT designers

Maintenance – staff time and skills required

Relevance – keeping content useful and timely

Issues for institutions

Cultural implications

Social and generational issues

Socio-political concerns

Key software facts

Software name Voki SitePal

Cost Totally free Basic package US$99 pa

Models Basic only Basic, FAQ and interactive

Advertising Banner ads No advertising

Web link www.voki.com www.sitepal.com

More info

Dr Lisa Cluett, Student Services, UWA

Ph: 08 6488 1221

Blog: www.uwajourney.edublogs.org

Wiki: www.uwa-osj.wikispaces.com

Email: lisa.cluett@uwa.edu.au

Twitter: follow lisacluett at www.twitter.com.au

All papers available online