Voki, a tool to create talking avatars
Game appsStory creators
Description: Voki is an online platform that allows users to create customisable avatars that can "speak" in different English accents using text-to-speech technology, or simply by inputting recorded audio. Users can choose from a variety of characters, backgrounds, and voices to create personalised animated avatars. Avatars can then be posted to a blog, website, or an online profile. Voki offers a limited free version and does not require registration, although having an account allows saving changes. Voki was developed by Oddcast Inc., a New York-based technology company.
Evaluation: Voki is an entertaining and easy-to-use tool aimed at primary and secondary school students. A wide variety of avatars and other fun features make Voki an ideal tool to engage students with speaking production tasks or storytelling exercises. Vokis can be saved and free accounts offer a variety of options that should be enough for classroom use.
Cost: Free limited version + paid premium plans.
Usability and tech notes ▼
Time efficiency 
Time needed to learn how to use a tool and its time-saving potential: High.
Interface language(s) The number of languages in which the tool is currently available/adaptable to: English only.
Respect for privacy What data does the tool collect and why? What security measures are there? GDPR compliant? : Medium. Voki collects personal information when users provide it, such as during registration, communication with customer/technical support, or participation in surveys. This information is collected for various purposes, including providing, maintaining, protecting, and improving the service, customising content, contacting users with updates, and more. Voki does not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under the age of 13. It does not share personal information with third parties for monetary gain, and only for operational purposes. It employs cookies to provide its services properly and provides guidance on how users can remove them from their devices. Voki displays advertising banners on the sides of the website but these seem not to be tailored to user behaviour or location. Its privacy policy mentions taking reasonable technical and organisational measures to guard against unauthorised processing, accidental loss, or damage to personal data. It acknowledges users’ rights to access, modify, or delete their data. Voki does not state compliance with the GDPR. See more here.
Saving work for future use Can work be saved for future use?: Yes, login required to save progress.
Examples of use