e-Learning Lingo Podcast #99-Avatars
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Announcer: The e-Learning Lingo Podcast.
Mary Kay Lofurno: Hello, this is Mary Kay Lofurno, Marketing Director here at SyberWorks. Welcome to the 99th episode of the e-Learning Lingo Podcast series. Last week, Dave Powell talked about “biometrics.” This week, Dave defines “avatars.” So I ask you, do you know your e-learning lingo?
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Mary Kay: All right Dave, tell us about avatars?
Dave Powell: An avatar is a digital image that represents or stands in for a person in an online environment. In e-learning applications, avatars typically represent students and instructors.
Mary Kay: OK. So, can you give us an idea what an avatar looks like Dave?
Dave: Today, avatars may be three-dimensional online representations in video games and various online worlds. They also may be two-dimensional icons or pictures representing people in web forums, blogs and other online communities. But though the terms seems modern and actually has ancient roots, it comes from the Sanskrit “avatara” for incarnation. And in Hindu texts, Krishna is the 8th avatara of Vishnu, The Preserver. So, avatars have really been around for millennia.
Mary Kay: OK, wow. Well Dave, thanks. Have a great afternoon.
Dave: You too, talk with you soon!
Mary Kay: This is Mary Kay Lofurno, Marketing Director at SyberWorks. Thanks for listening to the episode 99 of the e-Learning Lingo Podcast. This week, Dave Powell talked about avatars. The episode 99 podcast audio and transcript will be posted on the e-Learning Lingo Podcast blog.
Next time on the e-Learning Lingo Podcast, we will talk about a term used in education and training. Until that time, have a great week.
Announcer: SyberWorks Podcast. Learn any time, any place.
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