International Association for the Study of Cooperation in Education (IASCE) Conference

In new forms of computer-mediated communications and online classrooms, students use visual characters to represent themselves within the virtual learning space. This visual simulation of the user is called an avatar, and is generally a figure that the classroom participant is allowed to choose from a list or create from simple prototypes. Avatars can take the form of humans, animals, or objects; and often the user is provided the ability to customize the avatar with changes to the appearance through the addition of accessories. Given that many schools and universities around the world have begun to investigate the use of collaborative virtual environments in education, the role and importance of avatar choice and the effects on social interaction within multicultural cooperative groups utilizing this medium are crucial areas of investigation.