| Avatars are being introduced to assist kids in | | | | somewhat limited, nevertheless I believe that |
| eLearning. It turns out the kids love the avatars | | | | "self-esteem" is a very important issue. Thus a |
| and they can be used as teacher assistants. This | | | | virtual friend in the computer makes a lot of |
| helps with teaching in overloaded classrooms and | | | | sense. |
| increases the learning of the students. What is an | | | | Of course I believe only happy, friendly avatars |
| Avatar? Well Glad you asked; | | | | should be allowed, because often we find even |
| An "avatar" is a fictional character inside of | | | | cartoons can cause violence in children; Road |
| Computer. For instance Microsoft word comes | | | | Runner and Wiley Coyote or many of the newer |
| with a "Paper Clip" which is there to assist you or | | | | cartoons today, so the Avatar should be realistic |
| you can turn it off and choose a different Avatar, | | | | and nothing that might relate too much with a |
| I think I remember a puppy, which is a popular | | | | character on TV used in entertainment. |
| choice for Avatars with kids too. | | | | Although some might disagree feeling that Super |
| It is a virtual person; it could be a cartoon | | | | Man might be a good Avatar to look up to, even |
| character like Mickey Mouse or a More Virtual | | | | though the cartoon has violence? Perhaps you |
| Person like a Caricature of "YOU" the teacher. | | | | might find information on that. Here are some |
| Which [opinion] I believe would be very interesting | | | | Avatars; |
| to test the psyche against a fictional Donald Duck. | | | | With collaborative avatars one can choose |
| It is often considered in Psychology that those | | | | something to represent them selves, perhaps |
| without a father figure around have to invent | | | | choosing attributes that they wish that they had |
| themselves having no male roll-model around, an | | | | or roll model avatars signifying how they feel |
| avatar might help a child develop self-esteem in | | | | about themselves or how they feel about |
| the absence of a teacher there to help them | | | | themselves, this helps the instructor too, by what |
| one-on-one. This could be good. | | | | they choose to represent themselves. |
| Some say having an "invisible friend" is an okay | | | | The avatar they choose to be they assistant |
| thing for a young person, this indeed would also | | | | teacher is also of interest and it shows what type |
| take the place of that and create a "friend-ship" | | | | of authority figure they would most likely enjoy? |
| with technology; a relationship if you will. Now | | | | It also gives them a sense of "self" and |
| mind you I am NO Psychologist, just a studier of | | | | unique-ness and self-esteem that the special kids |
| human nature like anyone else participating in a | | | | might be lacking? Of course Avatars are proving |
| society of humans, so the comment of | | | | useful in eLearning initiatives with children with |
| contributing validity to your project might be | | | | special needs as well as advanced placement kids. |