Designing information is at the core of our D-LIT approach to learning. Using design, literacy, information, and technology together builds a better understanding of content for students. Having flexibility and choice over how to present their information allows them to own it. As in our earlier posts about D-LIT using Storybird and Voicethread, Voki is another Web 2.0 tool that is easy to use in the classroom. Voki lets users design speaking avatars that can be shared and posted on the web. Its ease of use makes for a simple way for students even in the younger grades to publish content about what they are learning. Voki has a host of different characters to choose from to create the avatars, complete with a multitude of voices. Voice information can be typed, avoiding the problems that come with trying to record an entire class. The message, too, is limited to a certain amount of characters, similar to a “tweet.” Voki Classroom also allows teachers to set up an account with a “Teacher ID” for their classes for a nominal fee. With a classroom account, students do not need to sign up, and the teacher can add and manage the account.
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| Internet Smarts |
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| Media Literacy |
Using Voki, just like other Web 2.0 tools such as Storybird and VoiceThread, was another way to get kids “juiced” about learning. The students created more than required when authoring and publishing their digital and media tips. They took pride in designing information, because they owned it. On top of that, they learned the content that was sparked by their own creativity. Voki was a way to “educate, engage and enjoy” what they were learning using D-LIT.
