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Avatars are excellent for online education. They provide the human interaction that is natural in classrooms and in the traditional learning environment. Message boards, email, and instant messaging are great tools for writing. But what about voice communication! Posting a question on a message board is useful but many times asking the question is better. It is instant, direct, and uses the nuance of voice. Skype works well but avatars are better. Avatars provide a face to the students and a face to the teacher. They provide the human element to online teaching. A Cohen

Educational Virtual World Curricula Launches in Public Schools

Avatar Storytellers is aimed at promoting literacy and writing within Land of Tales, a fantasy based 3D virtual world for students using customized avatars.

Students inhabit customized avatars and write 3D avatar-based quests and digital stories inside the 3D world

Using Avatars An avatar can be an important device for presenting an e-learning lesson. Adding a face to your module will add interest and motivation for learners. It gives them a person to connect with, in much the same way they would to an instructor or mentor in a more traditional setting. The avatar also can present material in a more conversational tone, perhaps even building up a story that will further engage learners and encourage knowledge retention. Here are just some highlights on how avatars can aid e-learning: guide the learner through the course present content for the lesson pose questions provide tips prompt reflection on the subject speak directly to the learner use a conversational tone that is appropriate for the topic.