Avatars are the characters that guide learners through a course. Avatar can be used with a number of motives and ways in an e-learning course. Considering various learning models of e-learning, avatars are seen to be the most effective in scenario based learning.

1. Use of Avatars In E-Learning
It’s a human tendency to like someone to take us through at times, whether in one’s personal or professional
life, because this makes things easier for us to be guided and to learn new things. This is applicable to us all,
children or adults. And, in the case of e-learning, it is an advantage if we have an avatar to make our learning
effective.
Avatars are the characters that guide learners through a course. As Jeanette Borzo said, “By using avatars,
companies find they can combine the best parts of both face-to-face training and computer-based learning.”
Avatar can be used with a number of motives and ways in an e-learning course. A few of them are:
• To personalize learning: When we see a humanly figure, though virtual, our minds start following him
and listening to him. Avatars provide a kind of human touch which helps reinforce learners to take the
course. For example, in product training, products can be made in the form of avatars to give the training
a realistic look and feel.
• To form a relationship with learners: Avatars do this and motivate learners emotionally. At certain
stages when the learning becomes heavy for learners, avatars prove to be a great help in engaging
learners and help them participate in the course. The way they engage learners in terms of soft greetings
and reinforcement helps learners connect with them.
• To retain knowledge gained: By incorporating avatars while explaining and assessing the learning,
avatars help retain knowledge gained and make for easy recall of content.
• To make learning fun and interesting: Avatars are found to create interest and fun. Various
interactivities can be created using avatars that make learner to have fun and develop interest.
Considering various learning models of e-learning, avatars are seen to be the most effective in scenario based
learning.
Recently, product training on a “Checkweighing” machine was developed for sales personnel of a
manufacturing industry. Sales personnel are basically taken to be hands-on learners. If they are given product
knowledge as chunks of content, full justice will not be given to their style of learning.
So, to make the course more engaging, interesting and realistic, using avatars is a good idea. As the core of the
course content revolves around the importance of one gram in any manufactured product, a gram is created in
the form of an avatar which takes the learner through the course. It motivates learners and engages them
emotionally to remain connected to the product knowledge.
I have tried jotting down a few of the best possible ways to use avatars effectively in e-learning. Do you have
more to add?
Do share your thoughts on the same.
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