3/2/2011

LET’S JUST GET IT OUT OF THE WAY…

Na’vi Julie
http://www.avatarizeyourself.com/

http://www.learnnavi.org/

OK, NOW WE CAN GO ON

A little about me-
Director of Instructional Technology
Cowley College
Arkansas City, KS

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TECHIE GEEK GIRL

Research & Editor and primary
Development contributor to monthly
Department instructional technology
newsletter
ANGEL System Admin Tiger TechnoBabble
Creator and Facilitator Adjunct Online Instructor
TEC Courses
(Technology
Enhanced Lover of all bright, new, shiny
Classroom) gadgets

WHAT WE’RE DOING TODAY

Images create a connection with students. Fun images may create a
“fun” or playful connection with your students! How do you want
your students to “see” you?
Or, how do your students see themselves? Creating personalized
avatars can be an insightful alternate method of assessment.

In this session, we’ll examine just a few of the free applications that
allow you to be anyone you want to be.
Let’s get started! These examples are all ME…as I perceive myself in
the different applications. 

WHAT MY AVATARS HAVE IN COMMON

OFTEN FOR SURE
Short, blondish hair Younger
Glasses Blonder
Stylish apparel? Thinner
COFFEE
Computer, book, or
phone

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DOPPEL ME
Doppel Me – Free Dynamic Avatar Maker
http://doppelme.com/

Pretty basic, but easy to use. You do not have to create an

account, but if you do, you get access to more features.

Just click on the Create tab to get started. The category

menu is on the left-hand side. When you are done,
Right-Click on your DoppelMe, and choose Save Picture
As.

Save to a location on your computer.

ANIME FACE MAKER

http://www.manga.com/content/avatar-face-maker

Quick, quick, quick…but limited options!

Plus = tiara…Minus = glasses don’t have a clear
setting!
To get started, choose your background and skin
colors. Next, locate the options menu at the top of
the page. There are no labels, so you might have
to click around! To save, you’ll have to do a Screen
Capture and then some editing in your favorite
image program.

FACE YOUR MANGA

http://faceyourmanga.com/faceyourmanga.php?lang=eng
This is one of my favorites…so easy to work with!

Click Create to begin. The category menus are on the right-hand side. Be on the
lookout for the “color” icon which allows you to customize your Manga even
further. When you are done, the program will ask you for your email address, and
it will email your Avatar to you. Be sure to look in your Junk mail folder for an
email with a .jpg file attached.

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WEE WORLD
http://www.weeworld.com/
This is easily one of the most option filled applications. Stylin’ the
leopard print shoes, the iced latte, designer bag and
phone…sweet!

Get started by clicking Create a WeeMee. (Note: You do NOT have

to register to create a WeeYou.) Once you’ve got the initial
requirements down, you’ll have TWO menu areas…major ones
on the bottom, and subsets on the left-hand side. Check out
all the options and have fun! Before you click the Save me
now! button, let me give you your options. To keep a custom
background, if you’ve selected one, you’ll have to do a Screen
Capture at this point. (You cannot right-click, as it’s still editing
in Flash.) If you are fine with it defaulting to a soothing clouds
background, then click the Save me now! button, and then
right-click on the image.
Choose Save Picture As, and save to a convenient location on your
computer.

MESS DUDES
http://www.messdudes.com/free-avatars-buddy-icons-
display-pictures.html
Another fun one, it also has some features that are
animated. (Though I can’t find a setting to save the
animations!) As a tribute to ANGEL, I’ve chosen a
halo to go along with my ever-present phone and cold
drink.
Get started by choosing to be a Dude or a Dollz. Major
tabs are: Head, Body, Hand & Background Items, and
Backgrounds. Arrows guide you to different color and
type choices. Hover your mouse pointer to discover
categories. No registration necessary. When
complete, click the Click HERE to Download! button.
You can just accept the default settings regarding
wallpaper and mobile phones, and then click Get
Download. Click on Forum/Blog/Web Site Avatar and
then right-click on the image and choose Save
Picture As. Save to a location on your computer.
(Note: Some of the advertisements on the site might
be a tad bit “racy.”)

BE FUNKY
http://www.befunky.com/
For this one, you have to use a real
picture, but there are 100’s of effects
to choose from! The setting I used
here is “Underpainting.” You do not
have to register, but you will have
AMPLE reminders that a “Plus”
account (paid!) would free up some
blocked options and remove the
“befunky” watermark from your
creations. Get started by clicking the
Upload button on the top right-hand
side of the screen. When you’re done
altering your image, click the Save
button (same location.)

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BIG HUGE LABS

http://bighugelabs.com/motivator.php
You need pictures to do anything. However, there are 100’s…NO…1000’s of things
that you can do with an image!
Two Examples - Motivational Posters and
Badge Maker

PHOTOFUNIA
http://photofunia.com/
You will need a picture to use. It uses face-detecting technology to put you in a variety
of situations…some even animated!

VOKI
http://voki.com/
Create animated videos, featuring your voice!
Watch the eyes move.
Recently, Voki added Voki for Education
http://www.voki.com/Voki_for_education.php
Resources include Lesson Plans, Teacher’s
Corner, and Voki Tips and Discussion

Create a FREE account.

It’s a fabulous program!

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MORE FUN FREEBIES

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
http://www.scottpilgrimthemovie.com/avatarCreator/
What can I say? I have a teenage step-son.

Portrait Illustration Maker

http://illustmaker.abi-station.com/index_en.shtml
Makes a very tiny image, with very tiny options! Not for the bi-focal crowd.

Create My Picture
http://www.planetcreation.co.uk/createpic/
Very basic and very cartoony. For the cutting edge Edupunk!

Marvel Create Your Own Superhero

http://marvel.com/create_your_own_superhero
Hmmm…let me just say I’ll never look as good as my alter-ego! It was too depressing
to even download.
Also, you can create your own comic strip.
http://marvel.com/games/play/34/create_your_own_comic

Digibody’s Caricature Maker

http://digibody.com/avatar-maker/index.php
Quick, but very few options. B/W “sketch.”

Simpson’s Avatar

http://www.simpsonsmovie.com/main.html

A. Classic.

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Build Your Wild Self

(New York Zoos and Aquarium)

http://www.buildyourwildself.com/

Take a walk on the wild side!

Grrrrrrr…

DO OTHER INSTRUCTORS DO THIS?

Good question – From the September 2010 issue of Tiger TechnoBabble

This month our fabulous prize winner is Cowley IMPACT English Specialist, Dianne
Flickinger. Dianne was doubly adventurous at the beginning of the semester in
that she used ANGEL’s Discussion Forum feature for student introductions, AND
had her students create Avatars (cartoon images) of themselves to share with the
class.
Dianne reports, “In June, I took advantage of attending the summer classes made
available to staff. I attended Julie’s Avatar class wanting to learn something new
and unique to use with students. Julie suggested that we could ask students to
make their own avatars and introduce themselves to the rest of the class. I
provided instructions and showed them how to insert images in their discussion
postings. Most of the students enjoyed this activity, and it was interesting to see
and read the perceptions that students have of themselves.”

DIANNE AND HER STUDENTS

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CONTACT INFO
If you’d like to read Tiger TechnoBabble:
http://www.scribd.com/julie_rorabaugh

If you have any further questions, or just want to chat:

Julie Rorabaugh
rorabaughj@cowley.edu
rorabaughj on Twitter