Voki

What's better than a talking avatar?  Nothing, of course.  Voki allows students to create their very own talking avatars simply by typing what text you want it to say.  If you can type, you can create a voki.  Can't type?  No problem.  Voki also allows for you to text the words or speak using a microphone.  With a teacher account, students can access their account and share their vokis with the rest of the class.  By utilizing a private learning community in your classroom, they can post the link so everyone can see what they have created.  Want the students to learn about George Washington?  How about having your students research him and create a script of what they want the voki to say?  It's that simple.  Digital storytelling at its finest, in my humble opinion.