Last week I posted a blog with two possible options for a research topic to pursue in this class. I have now decided to look closely at how the use of avatars may affect student-teacher and student-student interaction in an online course. One topic that has interested me since the first class I ever taught online was whether the fact that a teacher does not physically see the students will have an impact on student success. As an online teacher, I normally have no idea whether or not a specific student is old or young, tall or short, black or white, and, often, even whether the student is male or female (funny story about that in the next blog entry, if I remember).
Now, however, it is possible for students to create avatars and use them in lieu of their real physical appearance. This takes my topic even one step farther -- how will interaction between students and each other and their teacher be affected by the fact that the student's (and even the teacher's) physical appearance is created from a person's wish list of physical characteristics. More next time...
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Hi Liz - I'm very fascinated by your topic. Your results will have a profound effect on the programming classes I teach. Logic is logic, at least that's the way it should be.
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed your avatar that you posted for our class - did you see the Julia Roberts avatar? Cute idea.
I do find it curious if people obtain some type of stereotype based on looks. I think we are all guilty to some extent. Does my picture say things about me, regardless if you know me or not?
Again, your results will be interesting...
Debbie
Liz, I love your topic, especially since I'll be exploring avatar questions as well! I'm hoping to learn a lot from your explorations on the topic.
ReplyDeleteAre any among us in Second Life? I am (my name is Mercutio Click). Perhaps we should try meeting in world there at some point. My avatar there is often the robot from Lost in Space :)
- Hap
Hi Liz,
ReplyDeleteYour topic is really interesting! The question of whether or not a teacher actually sees his/her students and what, if any impact that has is a lot to think about. I think that not seeing the students, would actually help the teacher from forming biases, conscious or unconscious.
Then, how will the creation of avatars effect this?
Very interesting, I look forward to reading more of your posts!
Kelly