Voki

Return to Creative Web Tools Overview Voki [] **  Voki is an online application that allows users to create a speaking avatar. Users can select a character, customize it, add a voice, and save the Voki online for future use.
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**How Much Does It Cost?**

Voki is free, and it isn’t necessary to create an account in order to make them. However, creating an account allows you to save and store them on the Voki website for future use.


 * User Friendly?**

Voki is fun and easy to use. You can choose a character from the selections which include animals, anime, politicians, toons, and other characters. The characters can be personalized with different hair styles, clothing, and accessories. You can tweak the color of the avatar's hair, eyes, and skin.

You can select a background and add a voice. You may add your voice using a microphone or phone, or you can type in a message and select a voice to speak your written text for you. These messages can then be inserted into MySpace, blogs, websites, emailed to friends or sent to cell phones. Voki messages can be up to 60 seconds long.

** Ideas For Educational Use ** Vokis can be used by teachers or created by students. They are great for teachers who are not adept at vodcasting, and wonderful for students who are shy and don't like to get up and speak.

Teachers can use avatars to: Students may create or use an avatar: Use the following link to see sample vokis and learn more about using avatars in education. []
 * add to a website or online classroom to give a human element online
 * introduce a topic or course online
 * record and post instruction on the web
 * to explain concepts they are learning
 * to review and practice vocabulary words
 * with similar looks or personality of the student and record a message that tells about themselves.
 * to represent a character in a book and present a speech made in the story or from the character's point of view.
 * to help them practice and listen to their speech while learning a different language.
 * to summarize a topic