As I read quite a few blogs, I always like it when a commenter has an avatar (picture of self) next to their comment. Even if the avatar is not a true picture, it adds interest and a personality to the commenter. Often, when someone does not have a recognised avatar, their comments on blog posts and so forth display a randomly generated image or nothing at all. On my class blog, visiting commenters are assigned a monster image. This is cute but doesn’t add a unique identity or personality to the reader.
The solution to having an avatar that will work when you comment on all blog posts is Gravatar. This image follows you from site to site when you comment on blogs and other forums. I found about Gravatar last year from the ever knowledgeable Sue Waters. She has a great step-by-step description of how to use Gravatar. Check it out here.
If you want some ideas on how to create a fun avatar for yourself or your students check out my post here.
I like avatars too, but always suspected in my case it was because I never grew up! However, I now understand and agree that they add personality to comments. Thanks for explaining that Gravatar will make the jump to different platforms – I didn’t know that.
Cute avatar BookChook! Glad I could help. I was rapt when I first heard about Gravatar.
It is more fun to have avatars to put a personality to the comment. Great idea, heading over to Gravatar now!
Attempt #2
Love the avatar Kelly and I’m glad I could share something new with you as you seem to be up with everything!!! 🙂
[…] learnt about Gravatar from Kathleen (McGeady) Morris’ blog Integrating Technology in the Primary Classroom and I currently use this avatar for my blog posts and for Twitter – it’s little like […]