Create a Personal 3D Avatar with Loomie
Table of contents
Introduction
As online classrooms continue to evolve, educators face unique challenges, such as lack of face-to-face interaction and difficulty in non-verbal communication. Dr. Claire Sherman, addressing these issues in her online communication class, introduces a creative solution: the Loomie avatar. This guide will walk students through creating their Loomie avatar for better engagement in class.
The Need for Loomie Avatars
Online teaching often lacks the personal interaction that in-person classes provide. Dr. Sherman notes two major challenges:
- Absence of Visual Interaction: Without seeing students’ faces, it becomes difficult for instructors to connect with students, understand their needs, and distinguish them from one another.
- Limited Non-Verbal Communication: Online discussions are frequently text-based, with students using chat boxes. However, non-verbal cues like tone and facial expressions are critical in communication, and relying solely on text strips away these nuances.
The Solution: Loomie Avatars
To overcome these challenges, Dr. Sherman introduces Loomie, an online avatar that integrates with Zoom. By creating a Loomie, students can present a virtual representation of themselves during class sessions, helping to bridge the gap between the digital and real-world learning environments.
Steps to Create Your Loomie
Step 1: Create a Google Account
If you do not already have a Google account, this is the first step. While many students may already have personal Google accounts, it is essential because the Loomie app uses Google credentials for login.
Step 2: Download the Loomie App on Your Mobile Device
The Loomie avatar must be created through the Loomie app, which is available for both iOS and Android devices. Search for “Loomie” in your app store and download it.
- Important: When signing into the app, log in using your Google account, not your email. This ensures smooth integration when linking your Loomie avatar to your computer.
Step 3: Create Your Loomie Avatar
Once the app is downloaded, create your Loomie avatar. You can customize your avatar’s appearance, including hair, facial features, clothing, and accessories. This will be your virtual representation in class, so feel free to design it to reflect your personality.
Step 4: Download Loomie Live on Your Computer
After setting up your avatar on your phone, the next step is to download Loomie Live from the Loomie.ai website. Loomie Live is available for both Mac OS and Windows. Once downloaded, open Loomie Live and link it to your Google account by pressing the “plus” button in the app.
- Tip: Your Loomie avatar from the mobile app will automatically sync with Loomie Live, and any updates you make to your avatar will reflect in real-time.
Step 5: Use Loomie Live with Zoom
When it is time for class, open Zoom. Instead of using your regular video camera, switch to the Loomie Live camera by selecting it in the Zoom video settings. This allows your Loomie avatar to appear on screen instead of your real image.
Troubleshooting and Support
If you encounter issues during setup, such as trouble downloading the app or linking your Google account, Dr. Sherman is available to assist. The most critical factor is ensuring that you log into both the mobile and desktop versions of Loomie with the same Google account. This will ensure that the two platforms sync properly.
Conclusion
Loomie avatars offer a unique and engaging way to overcome some of the limitations of online learning, helping both students and instructors connect on a more personal level. By following the steps outlined above, students will be ready to introduce their Loomies in the next class, adding an element of fun and personality to the virtual classroom experience.
