Avatars.
I do not use images of myself.
In my various course workspaces, blogs and Skype interaction I use an avatar that is not me.
I am noticing on a lot (not all) of the class blogs we get to see who the person is.
Just a random observation.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Really…you use Avatars. I noticed Avatars in the second life tube videos. However, does the second life allow one to pick an Avatar or do you create this Avatar on your own?
ReplyDeleteNo, that is a great observation and you brought this up to my attention. To be honest I did not know there was an option to use an Avatar for a blog’s personal photo. I used my personal picture and so did the student that is commenting on my blog. However, I see that using an Avatar maybe a better path to take on the internet. I can see the advantages to using an Avatar: one does not have to exposure their true self and privacy reasons. I am sure there are more, but that is what came to my mind first.
Britt
Ahh, but Im not on Second Life, its still too much the Matrix for me.
ReplyDeleteI use Avitars for several reasons: I dont really have any portrait style photos of my self, and I like to show off my art work. Or the pictures I have are not professional in nature, and this is a semi-professional in nature setting.
There is also the whole anonymity of an Avitar. Do people really need to see me?
I taught a live f2f class one semester. It did not go well, several students took a vocal dislike to me. It made teaching difficult. And I refuse to teach that course again. When my teaching surveys came back they slammed my appearance. They took exception to my shoes--I wear special shoes for bad feet. They took exception to the fact that I wear black. In a professional setting I tend to wear black, its easier that way. They mentioned that I frequently wore the same thing over and over again. Ok I have a limited professional wardrobe since I only teach part time. I am in a class room 1x a week. So yes in 15 weeks they will see the same blouse 3 or 4 times. And they slammed me for lack of make up, and for my hair style.
Basically because they did not like the class I was teaching, they took it out on me personally. I know my Dean completely did not even pay attention to the statements regarding my appearance. He knows I dress professionally, and I am professional and presentable.
However, Its just frustrating to be judged on your looks, no matter what. So I think I prefer Avitars. Opinions of me need to be based on if I can answer a question, provide valuable assistance or what have you, and not based on the color or texture of my hair, or the style of the clothes I have on.
Mrs. Laura,
ReplyDeleteOh that makes sense. I agree with you that Avatar are great to use for privacy reasons. Really students notice your shoes. That is crazy and that is totally rude. I really can’t believe they cared what color you were wearing and that you were the same thing more than once. Wow…you did get slammed for some pretty superficial things.
I am sorry people treat people that way. I truly would not take it to heart. The students could have been taking out their frustration with their performance in the class. I totally see why you would use Avatars.
Britt5
Yeah they would actually focus on my shoes, I wear Z-Coils. They are very specific and instead of a heal have a large industrial coil.
ReplyDeleteThey are fabulous! And I wear them every day. You would think after 15 weeks a student could get over my shoes. I actually as they walk in and look at and comment on the shoes the first day, I told the class about them. "They are for orthopedic purposes, no they do not bounce or help me jump. And I said now you know about my shoes you can shift your focus where it needs to be, I will be wearing these all semester, if you really need more information ask me privately during break."
I guess several of the students did not get over my shoes....