Voki for teaching English

Voki

Voki is a website to create customized avatars to use in almost any way that you want. You can email your avatar, post it online and add it to other documents and presentations.  You can add a voice (sound) through a variety of methods: microphone, downloading an audio file, via your phone and typing the text in.  It is used as a creative tool to get students involved in subjects and spur their imaginations. Voki itself is free and can easily be incorporated into the classroom and learning tools. 

Linguistic Skill: Speaking

Activities:

#1. Students must create a presentation about illnesses and diseases using Voki. They should choose a nice background theme that fits with the topic. Then, they should create and customize an avatar. Students must choose one illness or disease to develop in the presentation. The presentation must include a slide for the title, a slide for the causes, a slide for the symptoms, and a slide for possible treatment. They must include images, text, an audio (record themselves) to explain the illness or disease.

#2. The teacher creates a presentation using voki. She asks students to take notes while they are watching and listening to the presentation. The teacher asks students to discuss their notes in groups. She walks around checking everyone is participating. 

#3. The instructor plays a movie in the class. Then, he/she asks students to create a presentation using Voki as homework. Students will talk about the relevant aspects on the movie. They should include images, text, an avatar, and audio. The teacher gives them feedback.  

Tips for EFL teachers when using Voki

ü  Be sure that you are in a quiet place when recording the audios.

ü  Use clear images.

ü  Provide clear instructions in all the assignments.

This app makes learning and teaching fun, engaging, and enjoyable. It encourages students to use their imagination. It also makes student participate more actively in the classroom. It could be used to create more interactive and creative homework tasks. Students will be entertained and will be learning at the same time.    

Voki for teaching English