Voki

=Voki =

Voki is a way to create a speaking avatar, like this one. You can record up to 60 seconds of voice.

media type="custom" key="5412477" =[|www.voki.com]=

You'll need to create an account, sign in, then click on "Create a new Voki."

You then choose a character (there are little arrows to the left and right to scroll through different categories) and customise it as you choose. Click on "DONE" when you're happy with the look of it. You can then choose a background, or even upload a photo of your own to use.

Now, it's time to add audio. You have two choices. You can click on the "T key" icon and then type in what you want your character to say. It will generate a digitised voice that reads your text. You can change the accent and gender from the dropdown menus.

Your second option is to record your voice, or your students' voices. At the moment, our server seems to be blocking the option to record directly from a microphone to the voki site. So instead, you need to record the voices using a microphone then save it as an mp3 and upload the file by clicking on the folder icon. Please refer to the wiki page "Voice Recording" to learn how to do this.



When you want to see what it's sounding like, you just click on the play button under your Voki. Re-record if necessary. Once you're totally happy, click "Publish" and give it a name. It will give you options for sharing, depending what you want to do with it. It will also be saved on the Voki site, so if you want to go back and edit it, just log in again, select it and click on the "edit" button.

Ideas for use:
 * As a way to introduce an assignment to students - have the avatar explain it to them
 * A welcome message on a blog or wiki or glog
 * Email them to parents or grandparents with a special message
 * An interesting way for students to present a short oral report
 * Practising reading
 * Voice dramatisation