10 avatar generators for profile pictures
With the release of the James Cameron movie (which I highly recommend you see, by the way) everyone has now heard the word Avatar. In computing, an avatar is often the name used for the little picture you use on profile pages for things like blogs, twitter etc.
If you are blogging with students – it’s recommended that you don’t use real photographs of the students. A fun alternative is to create a cartoon avatar instead.
Here are 10 websites that you can use to create fun avatars. Some allow you to save the finished creation as a jpg for free. If not, then use the print screen button to copy the screen, paste into a paint program, crop and save as a jpg.
Sadly the avatar avatar generator is no longer available.. which was a shame as it was quite fun, although very slightly creepy.
1. WeeMee -Create a mini version of yourself, add accessories. There’s plenty of scope for customisation of your avatar.
2. South park studio – turn yourself into a South Park character
3. HeroMachine 2.5 – Turn yourself into a super hero character. This would also be great as a part of a digital storytelling resource or story starter.
4. FaceYourManga.com Create a character in the style of a manga comic book
5. Ultimate Flash Face v0.42b a bit like a police photofit.
6. Make yourself in lego – Produce a lego character that looks like you. Or turn yourself into a Stormtrooper wizard. Is up to you 
7. Simpsons Movie – Ever wanted to be a Simpsons character? Now you can create your own yellow-skinned doppleganger in the style of the Simpsons.
8. Mr. Picassohead – become an abstract piece of work in the style of Picasso. Put your eyes and ears wherever you want!
9. BuiLD YouR WiLD SeLF – Create an avatar out of bits and pieces of humans and other animals – head, arms, legs, clothes, eyes, mouth, tail, wings, shells … just pick the parts you like and assemble them together
10. My Mii Avatar Generator – create a Mii in the style of the characters found on the Wii computer console.
If you want more of these sites, the full list can be found on my Delicious list here: http://delicious.com/dannynic/avatar
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Scimorph – augmented reality for science
Scimorph is a cute little website that uses Augmented Reality tech to provide Primary school pupils with opportunities to discuss and solve science-based problems.
Using a webcam and a special marker printed onto a piece of paper – Scimorph will appear on the screen. By moving the paper you can move him and view him from all sides. It’s a little fiddly, but persevere and it becomes quite simple. This should also work with a visualiser if you have one of those connected.
There are several scimorph zones you can investigate – The Bug Zone to look at microbes, Gravity Pulls and (coming soon) The Vibe Zone to investigate sound.
Each zone provides a series of questions or scenarios. Scimorph is not a complicated simulation or anything like that. The main purpose is to promote discussion between children about the science underlying the different situations.
Guidance on how to use the resource can be found here. It does provide a useful introduction to Augemented Reality technology and is worth checking out if you want to try something a little different with your class. Visit it here.
is
a
very
simple,
central
character
who
can
journey
through
a
series
of
activities
in
a
virtual
science
environment
based
around
the
curriculum
for
primary
aged
children.
Scimorph
can
be
used
at
school
or
in
the
home
to
build
on
knowledge
and
understanding
of
the
world.
He
has
some
human
characteristics
and
attributes
though
he
has
not
developed
fully
because
of
his
lack
of
understanding
about
the
world.
(He
can
also
be
a
she
if
you
so
wish.)
Scimorph
provides
opportunities
to
discuss
and
solve
scientific-‐based
problems,
take
part
in
discussions
around
the
activities
and
delve
deeper
into
the
topic
by
means
of
interactive
tools
and
use
of
web-‐based
materials.
The
main
purpose
of
each
activity
is
to
stimulate
discussions
between
children,
teachers
and
parents/carers
about
the
science
underlying
the
Scimorph
situation.
A
desktop
version
of
Augmented
Reality
(AR)
is
used
to
deliver
a
different
form
of
interaction
with
the
computer
via
3-‐D
animations,
activated
in
a
variety
of
Scimorph
“zones”
or
environments:
-‐
The
Bug
Zone
–
where
Scimorph
prompts
an
investigation
of
microbes
Gravity
Pulls
–
Scimorph
illustrates
how
gravity
changes
depending
upon
which
planet
you’re
on
The
Vibe
Zone
–
where
Scimorph
wants
to
investigate
how
sound
works
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The Great Plant Hunt
To mark the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, commissioned and funded by the Wellcome Trust, has created The Great Plant Hunt. This project will encourage Primary school children to explore the natural world around them and join other schools in the biggest ever school science project.
The Great Plant Hunt invites primary school children to follow in the footsteps of Darwin by going on nature walks in and around their school grounds. They’ll find out more about plants and in the process learn key scientific skills. There is a lot more information, and links to resources in the Teacher Area of the site.
In addition to the activity ideas, there are also interactive resources to use on an IWB such as Plant or Not?, Herby Havoc and Sunflower Survival.
All teaching materials and resources are available to download – so you can make your own Treasure Chest of resources to run The Great Plant Hunt completely free.
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About Me
Danny Nicholson : Educator, Science teacher, ICT Consultant, PGCE lecturer, Author and Web2.0 / SMART Masters/ Interactive Whiteboard Trainer. Contact me for any training requests. 
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