It's fun getting started with this, but I am a bit concerned about how the course is going to go given the lack of discrimination in this first tool between the "need to knows" and "nice to knows." The blog setup is, by all means, a need to know. The avatar, however, is at best a nice to know, and it really seemed to be a waste of time. Perhaps I'm just tired and cranky.
I can see blogging as being a very useful tool in the classroom. It can definitely foster a collaborative environment where teachers and students can all share their thought processes and solutions to problems.
the avatar is a nice to know but you will see how many people can see ways to use them!
ReplyDeleteThe skill of adding something to a blog is a need to know and that is the main reason you were asked to upload the avatar...how to use the gadgets!
I was definitely tired and cranky! I can see why the avatar was included now. In my fatigue-addled state I didn't see it in terms of learning how to add something to a blog. I am wondering, however, if there are folks out there in the 11 Tools program thinking that to have a blog, you must have an avatar.
ReplyDeleteI think Avatars will come in handy once our students begin creating blogs. Since an actual photograph of the child would be inappropriate, an avatar will give them their own special identity. Besides, you've got to admit - they're fun to create!! Have you tried recording your own voice for your Voki using your cell phone - it's magic the way that works :-)
ReplyDeleteMillie