Avatars and Adaptations...Shark Attack!

Check out this simple Voki with a scary looking shark, yet a surprisingly cheerful voice, ready to share the definition of "adaptation."  Can you imagine the kiddos trying their hand at these handy Vokis?  Sure, the ones I've produced are sweet and to the point, but isn't that the goal?!  This is a tool that gives children a voice in the classroom, while demonstrating their understanding of content/skills in a creative and succinct manner.  I can only imagine the inevitable squeals of delight...

Let's Vocalize this Voki!

In prior classes, I'd seen several colleagues try out Voki, but I had no idea how to go about creating these neat little avatars. As always, it's not until I try something and realize that it is, in fact, easy-to-use, do I begin to envision the classroom possibilities.  Maybe you'd call me lazy, or just plain practical, but I can't sacrifice any more of my personal time than I already do.  (Sleep is mighty important!)

So, I created a *FREE* account with Voki (isn't "free" the golden word among educators), and started to play.  I customized the character, tweaked the color/ facial features, and added my own narration.  I'm introducing a new science unit on animal adaptations, so I'm sure that my kiddos will get a kick out of this bear posing the unit's overarching question, "How do plants and animals survive in their environment?"

Be on the look out for several more Vokis that I'm in the process of creating, each targeting a different vocabulary term that my littles will have to know.  Maybe, I'll try out one of the pre-programmed British or Australian accents.  I have a sneaking suspicion that these avatars will be more compelling than vocab written out on the SmartBoard.  Oh the beauty of technology...