I’ve added a new feature to the blog that allows you to upload a photo of yourself (an avatar) that will then appear next to each of your comments. To upload your photo, go to your profile page (by clicking on your name in the top right hand corner after you’ve logged in), and down at the bottom of the profile page you’ll see button to upload a photo. Don’t forget to click “Update Profile” at the bottom once you’ve uploaded the photo.
The avatars are 80×80 pixels (that’s how big my photo is above). If you upload a photo that’s larger, the blog will re-size it for you, but remember that if there’s lots of background, your face will be hard to see. Have fun!
Question: If the blog is not findable by Google, will my avatar be?
Can my avatar be something other than a picture of my face?
What are the expectations for our class blog and the use of avatars?
Kori Inkpen did some great research on avatars and user comfort levels. Check out Me and My Avatar.
In answer to the third question, I think that if we all add avatars, that might help everyone in the class to learn who’s who a little faster. It would certainly help me remember everyones’ names (as I’m generally hopeless at this).