Avatars in Education

In education, I find that incentives are a powerful tool. With new advents in technology, I believe that a sense of self in the classroom is important for both teacher and student. There exists a certain vulnerability when it comes to expressing ones self. In the classroom that employs a technological approach, the use of avatars is a safe delivery method to discovering self. The clothes, the style, the background of the avatar can easily give a sense of security without having to be subjected to ridicule. My avatar for example, not a direct representation of my looks, but it is as close a representation I could muster in the six minutes. I could have been a big 'ol floppy eared dog, but is that what I wish to portray? In a classroom setting, a young learner may not want to be, or have for that matter, an avatar as straight laced and serious as mine. An avatar can allow community, and a little bit of pride.