Constructing a Bitmoji Classroom: A Step-by-Step Guide
In the realm of remote learning, one teacher is making a significant impact by using an unexpected tool: Bitmoji. Manuela Zentriegen, a dedicated educator, has found a fun and engaging way to bring her virtual classroom to life.
Bitmoji, the popular app that allows users to create digital characters as emoji images to represent themselves, is now being used by teachers like Zentriegen to create fun virtual representations of themselves and their classrooms. The app is available on both iOS and Android smartphones.
Zentriegen has transformed her virtual classroom into an interactive and engaging space using Bitmoji. Images in her Slides or PowerPoint can be resized and moved about to suit the layout of her Bitmoji classroom, making it a customised and welcoming environment for her students.
To set expectations and guidelines for her students, Zentriegen has created a single sheet in her Bitmoji classroom. Creative Commons images are recommended for use in her classroom to avoid copyright issues. She has even created a virtual library by lining up images of books on a virtual bookshelf, each one linking off to either a free or paid link for the student to access.
Interactive links can be added to images in Zentriegen's Bitmoji classroom, making it more engaging for her students. Her Bitmoji characters include a blackboard for announcements and other classroom elements. The teacher's Bitmoji character even dons a cap and gown during graduation ceremonies, adding a personal touch to the virtual event.
Zentriegen's innovative use of Bitmoji extends beyond her classroom. She has created examples of virtual field trips and escape rooms using images and links in her Bitmoji classroom. These virtual representations can be shared using platforms like Google Slides for remote learning, making education more accessible and interactive for her students.
To share her Bitmoji characters on more platforms than just via the phone's social media options, Zentriegen uses a Bitmoji Google Chrome extension. This extension adds the option to share Bitmoji characters to Gmail and places an icon next to the Chrome address bar.
Print outs of Zentriegen's Bitmoji characters can be used in the real-world classroom to lighten up the class space and remind students of guidelines. The website remove.bg can be used to remove backgrounds from images for use in Zentriegen's Bitmoji classroom. Users can also customise their digital avatar by changing clothes, hair, eye shape, and facial lines.
Zentriegen's innovative approach to using Bitmoji in her classroom has not gone unnoticed. Her students enjoy the engaging and interactive environment she has created, and her peers are inspired by her creativity. As remote learning continues to evolve, Zentriegen's use of Bitmoji is a shining example of how technology can be used to create engaging and effective learning environments.
