What is this thing calledVoki?

A Voki is a Web 2.0 tool consisting of a talking avatar that can be used for a variety of classroom educational purposes.

An avatar is a computer generated animated character that can be like an animal, human, or some other creature.

Please follow this to a Voki example

Voki

A Voki uses animation and audio to grab the attention of the viewer.

By enhancing the attention of the viewer, Voki is able to keep students engaged in the learning process for longer periods of time.

Voki helps students who suffer from shyness to be able to make oral presentations without the fear of being in front of an audience.

Voki allows a teacher to introduce a lesson in a more interesting way, thus increasing student interest and attention span.

Reasons for teachers to have access to Voki.

Voki has also been shown to enhance the learning of students with special needs.

Since Voki is a web-based tool, home-bound students are able to access teacher-made lessons at any time simply by going online.

Other uses of Voki

Huang and Lin state;“Voki’s increase opportunities for oral practice and metalinguistic awareness. Voki’s offer students extra opportunities to practice speaking. Students noted that online recordings allowed them to rehearse and self-monitor the tone and pronunciation of their own speech, as well as having the ability to wait to submit their recordings only when they felt satisfied with it.”

Others who support Voki

Standard 3 states that students should be able to use technology tools to enhance learning, increase productivity, and promote creativity.

Standard 4 states that students should be able to use a variety of media and formats to communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences

Voki meets National Education Technology

Standards

It is my hope that the information provided in this presentation will show the educational value of Voki and that you will see fit to have it unblocked from the county’s website.

In closing

Williams, J., & Chinn, S. J. (2009). Using web 2.0 to support the active learning experience. Journal of Information Systems Education, 20(2), 165-174. Retrieved from

http://search.proquest.com/docview/200162738?accountid=10661 Huang, C., & Lin, C. (2011). Enhancing classroom interactivity and engagement: CFL learners'

perceptions of the application of web 2.0 technology. British Journal of Educational Technology, 42(6), E141-E144. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8535.2011.01219.x

 Atkinson, T. S., Swaggerty, E. A., Mays, L. C., & Fink, L. (2011). Empowering fourth-grade researchers: Reaping the rewards of web 2.0 student-centered learning. Language Arts, 89(2), 99-112. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/903238364?accountid=10661 Whitby, P. J. S., Leininger, M. L., & Grillo, K. (2012). Tips for using interactive whiteboards to increase

participation of students with disabilities. Teaching Exceptional Children, 44(6), 50-57. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1024596841?accountid=10661

References