Mini Me

In my current teaching context I ask my students to create an avatar of themselves to include in their personal profile to be uploaded to the blog in our virtual classroom. It is an option to a photograph.
Below is "mini me" made using the Buddypoke app.
I include this avatar in both the VCR and in the web conferences. Sometimes she even appears in the lesson presentation! It can be animated etc.

Students love individualising their efforts online. It is motivating because of the novelty and they feel a sense of ownership because it is representing their personality and interests.