I was in a department meeting last school year and my team leader was using an avatar while sharing his camera instead of his face. I, being the super techy type thought it was the coolest thing ever, well not ever, but in terms of Zoom where things can get pretty mundane, I saw it as an opportunity to spice things up. I began envisioning myself in my virtual classroom with a futuristic background and a cute little digital doppelganger teaching students who have the same. How awesome would it be to have an avatar as a teacher? After that meeting, I immediately started Google searching "How to make yourself into an avatar on Zoom?". I came across a few articles with superficial guidelines sprinkled here and there but nothing I could figure out using any of the computers I owned. Eventually, after many daily downloads and re-downloads, starts and restarts, I put it in my back pocket to save for later.
Fast forward to the beginning of this school year, 2023. I'm in a staff meeting and I noticed a few more staff members had avatars. At this point, I'm almost embarrassed that I, being a self-proclaimed polymath, couldn't figure this avatar thing out. I teach Science for goodness sake! Back to the lab I went, dedicating myself to having an avatar I could show off by the
time the next meeting started. After trying the same things I'd tried last school year to no avail I decided it was my computer and that I needed to get a newer, faster, and better one. So off to
Best Buy I went! It took $800 for me to realize that it wasn't my computer not being able to keep up with the demands of running an avatar and all I had to do was download it on my computer's hard drive, sign in with my personal Google account, and then back in with my professional account online. Whatever the case, I finally had the cute little avatar I'd envisioned last year.
My avatar changed the game! I introduced it to my students during the second week of school. When they saw me as a computer me they were flabbergasted, then the Chat box
went crazy! They all wanted to know how I did it and how they could do it too. Then I had to take out time to tell them. Quite a few of my friends use their avatars from time to time. I introduced them to my friend's parents at Back to School Night, they too were impressed and some wanted to know how I did it. I felt proud and accomplished!
I use my face while I'm lecture instructing but when my friends are working independently, I activate it. When I'm greeting them at the start and end of class, taking attendance, doing a lab, or correcting certain behaviors I show face as well, as I like to call it. I also prefer to use my avatar during staff meetings, if I'm not presenting, so I can take a break from watching my face and making sure I don't pick my nose while my camera is on.
If I'm not feeling well it's especially helpful because it allows me to be present and not have to call out. It gives friends and teachers who have related anxieties a safe space to engage and partake without feeling judged. I've realized over the years that many of my virtual students are self-conscious about their appearance and have been bullied about it before. Avatars let those friends be themselves. I've also noticed that avatars are just flat-out fun to look at, which may grab the attention of someone who's usually not attentive.
On the other hand, I don't use my avatar as frequently in classes with certain students. I've noticed that a couple of my attention and behavioral special needs friends need to see my face in order for them to engage.
On to the adversaries. Now, we all know we can't have up without down and we can't have left without right, likewise, you can't have or do anything remotely different without people with minimal data, there to scrutinize you. I'm a millennial and perhaps that's why I think avatars are such a good idea. If they weren't a good idea we wouldn't have them. What is the purpose of an avatar besides Zoom bait catfishing? It depends on who you ask. A boomer is almost certainly going to tell you avatars are unnecessary, too playful, and perhaps even unprofessional. But ask anyone from any generation on down, we love them. They're convenient, aesthetically pleasing, and fun. Period-dahtah (said just like it's read).
Mark Zuckerburg has invested billions of dollars into avatars and a place for them to unite in what he calls the Metaverse, which I am very much here for. The New York Times says "He is devoting $10 billion this year to these projects (and more in the coming years), assigning 10,000 workers to them and changing his company name to “Meta.” And he’s retooling his online persona, too, as he steps into another improbable role: that of virtual impresario." Boom, drop all the mics.
The NFL, ESPN, and Disney got in on the avatar action back in September when they televised an entire game avatar version of the Falcons vs. the Jaguars (which was taking place in London’s Wembley Stadium). The players and their avatars, however, were in Andy's room and they called it Toy Story Funday Football. You already know I was tuned in at kickoff! Now, I did watch the regular game simultaneously on another TV, mainly to compare the two, but I found myself looking at the Funday game more. Why? It was cool to watch, simple and plain. Of course, I'd come up with a list of a few upgrades and critiques but overall it was an excellent broadcast. Just typing and thinking about the amount of code, pomp, and circumstance it must have taken to complete is making my palms sweat. Sheesh. What an assignment! I wasn't the only one impressed though, according to Disney, Toy Story Funday Football was the most-viewed event ever on ESPN+.
Just think, about 10 years ago I was getting reprimanded for my friends being on their computers "too often" and for not constantly walking around my classroom because it appeared to my administrators that no one was engaged. My argument, I can see everything my friends are doing on my computer screen and I can help them fix it right on the spot without calling attention to them and it's easier and greener than using paper. At times they didn't even believe me. It wasn't until we had meetings where I could show them data and give them anecdotes about students that other teachers couldn't, did they leave me alone. Now it's an expectation to use computer technology and give immediate feedback and almost everything is digital. What do you know? I guess we innovative teachers have to wait until the rest of everyone else catches up with us. Then it will be old and we'll be on to the next great thing.
I believe virtual spaces and faces are going to be the norm at some point in the future. You can call it a hunch, you can call it a serious want for a Ready Player One lifestyle option, and I'll call it an eventual reality. So what say I? If you're thinking about using avatars in your classroom, do it! Your kids will love it! However, if you ever notice you're losing anyone while you're teaching with it, reel them in and show face.
- Thee Busy Bee
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