The Village Avatars
Learning Asset Strategy Model
Presented at the 2010 Conference of the
Canadian Society for Training and Development
Robin Yap and Marcello Bigotti

What is an Avatar?
A) 2D or 3D visual representation of a character/person
B) Photograph of a character/person
C) Sketch of a character/person
D) Genetically engineered Na’vi-human body to interact
with the natives of Pandora
E) A character in a James Cameron movie
F) All of the above

Computer user's representation of
himself/herself or alter ego whether in the form
of a three-dimensional model used in computer
games, a two-dimensional icon (picture) or a
one-dimensional username used on Internet
forums and other communities, or a text
construct found on early systems such as MUDs
(Multi-User Dimensions or Domains). It is an
object representing the user.
Avatar Defined

Now our take on this..
A learning asset that is either in 2D, 3D, or
live actors/simulators creating a visual
representation of a character/person in a
scenario-based learning module

• Aligned to Learning Object Strategy
• Reusability
• Cross-programs
• Efficiency
One or more learning assets make up a
Learning object. One or more
Learning objects make
up your Learning
Object Strategy
Learning Objects Strategy
Learning
Asset
Learning
Asset
Learning
Asset
Learning
Object
Learning
Object
Learning
Object
Learning
Object
Strategy

• Used in Scenario-based learning formats
• Used in Learning Engagement Activities
Learning Assets

Once upon a time…
Photo Credits:
Catatronic http://bit.ly/bCNQ2z
Funadium - http://bit.ly/aZEi6h
Aaron Edwards - http://bit.ly/9QBUy4
You used learning assets in isolation – used
in their own scenario-based modules. Where do they end up?

Now the Village Avatars
Interconnected lives much like in real life

Learning Asset Model
Delivery
Mode
Repository
Development
Tool
Video
Audio
Graphic
Story
Story
Story
Story
Story
Story
Story
Back Story

Components
• eLearning Authoring
• Repository
• Graphic sources
• Graphic & Photo Editor
• Animation Creator
• Audio Editor
• Video Editor
Assumptions
• eLearning tool is at the
core of this model – a tool
should exist as it’s the
aggregator
• Centralized
hosting/location (shared
drives, content
management system, etc.)

Graphic sources
Each character requires a visual representation. There is a multitude
of places where these images could be acquired.
• Internal organizational archives
• Marketing group
• Engage employees – competition or contests – model releases
• Custom character development – internally/externally
• Stock photography/image/illustration vendors
• Variety in themes, characters, file and object types
• “Freshness” – frequency of new content being available
• Multiple angle, multiple expression, same character images
• Simple/plain backgrounds
•Stock Photo/Images: AarinFreePhoto.com, Alamy.com, DesignPacks.com, DreamsTime.com,
Flickr.com, Fotolia, FreeFoto.com, FreePhotoBank.com, FreePixels.com, FreeRangeStock.com,
FreeStockPhotography.com, FreeWebPhoto.com, ImageAfter.com, iStockPhoto, MorgueFile

Graphic & Photo Editor
• Manipulation of environment
(backgrounds)
• Resize – depending on medium
• Editing functions
• Multiple format outputs
• Prop manipulation
• Layers - efficiency
• Batch - efficiency
•Image Editors: Gimp, Ultimate Paint, Skencil, Pixia, InkScape, Paint.net, SmoothDraw, ImageForge,
Brush Strokes, Project Dogwaffle, Sodipodi, Karbon 14

Animation Creator
These tools will be used to bring your
characters to life
• Simple animations – sequencing of
frames and playback
• Picture animation – automated
functions
• 3D modeling – background
construction to virtual world build
• Editing functions
• Multiple format outputs
•Animation Creator sites: GoAnimate, Devolver, Animasher, Xtranormal, Voki, Zimmertwins

Audio Editor
• Standard editing functions
• Re-sampling bitrates
• Multiple format outputs
• Batch - efficiency
•Audio Editor: Audacity, Power Sound Editor, mp3DirectCut, Music Editor Free, Wavosaur,
Traverso, DAW, Ardour, Rosegarden, Hydrogen, WavePad Sound Editor

Video Editor
• Multiple format outputs
• Editing functions
• Resizing
• Re-sampling
• Green screen editing capability
• Editing functions
• Layers - efficiency
• Batch - efficiency
•Video Editors: Microsoft Movie Maker, Apple iMovie, Avid FreeDV, Wax, Zwei-Stein

Grab Bag of Other Tools we found useful

Character Biography
Backbone of our Village Avatars
• Demographic details
• Relationships
• Experiences
• Goals
• Supporting cast (pets,
locations, props)
• Their story
• Program Appearances

POTENTIAL ISSUES IF YOU
DON’T HAVE A LEARNING
ASSET (AND LEARNING
OBJECT) STRATEGY

What if you have the same visual representation
for two different characters?
1. OMG! I have to redo my whole learning module!
2. Kill off the character
3. Introduce into the scenario that the character has an
“evil twin”
4. Ignore them as they are completely separate stories
5. Bridge the character stories together
Jayne, Head of Geriatrics
Diane, Head of Obstetrics

Now you’ve hired an external designer and they bought
the same image from your stock photography image
database vendor. What will you do then?
Jayne, Head of Geriatrics
Diane, Head of Obstetrics
JoAnn, Head of Nursing
Maria, formerly a Model now a Patient

FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION on this
and other strategies for enabling stellar
performance through social media and
their learning modalities, go to
http://www.RobinYap.com