This article was updated in December 2023.
The Bitmoji classroom gained popularity when remote teaching became necessary. Although it is not required in the same way, it is still relevant. This is a fun and engaging way to get students digitally engaged in class.
Bitmoji allows anyone to create simplified digital characters that can be used to express themselves on various virtual platforms. Apply this to yourself as an educator and your students and you will have an online classroom space that can seem less threatening than reality to many students, often allowing for greater participation.
Use them on social media, messages, emails, and in a virtual classroom, perhaps on a digital board in whatever space your school has for that. This can also help in hybrid learning scenarios to create some coherence between the classroom and beyond that physical space, when working from home or accessing resources for assignments.
Read on to find out everything you need to know about how to bring Bitmoji into your classroom.
What is a Bitmoji classroom?
First, what is it? bitmoji? It is an application that uses emoji images created by the user to display a virtual representation of themselves. The app is secondary and is used to create small cartoon-like images, which are then usually shared on social media. This is how the students have been using it.
Teachers now use the Bitmoji app to create fun virtual doubles of themselves and their classrooms. These can then be shared using useful platforms, probably already in use for remote learning, such as Google Slides.
It allows teachers to create a fun virtual representation of their classroom for students to use online, complete with whiteboard announcements and more.
What's new in the Bitmoji classroom?
Bitmoji characters have received regular updates and now you can add bolder smiles and more wow emotions to surprise. But it's not all big and bold, as more nuanced emotions can now also be expressed through the characters.
It may all seem a little more real, but it's also considered less cute and maybe defeats the point a little.
How do I set up a Bitmoji classroom?
The first thing you will have to do is get the Bitmoji app on your iOS or Android smartphone. Here you can sign up and get started by taking a selfie and then customizing your digital avatar. Change everything from clothing and hair to eye shape and facial lines.
Next you will need to download the Bitmoji extension for Google Chrome to let you share your Bitmoji character on more platforms than just your phone's social media options. This will automatically add the option to your Gmail and place an icon next to Chrome's address bar.
A great place to create your virtual classroom, especially if your school or university already uses Google Classroom, is Google Slides. For Microsoft users, this can also be done in PowerPoint.
How to build a Bitmoji classroom
Once you've opened your Slides or PowerPoint document with a blank slate, it's time to start building.
You can start your class from scratch, using images you find online or even taking photos and uploading them yourself. In the example above, to start, you can search for “white brick wall” as the background. Many templates can be found online if you want something more generic to get started quickly.
Now you need to add your Bitmoji. These can be your character in many different scenarios, which the app automatically generates. Find the one you want and you can drag and drop it directly into Slides, or right-click and save to access PowerPoint.
A top tip: If you're having trouble finding a standing shot of your Bitmoji character, try typing “pose” into the Bitmoji search bar.
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How to Get Images for a Bitmoji Classroom
We recommend that any image search on Google be performed by selecting the “Tools” option and then “Usage Rights”, and selecting only the Creative Commons options. These images are free to use and you don't have to worry about potentially breaking any copyright laws or asking for permissions.
Then you'll probably want to crop parts of an image. Let's say you want to add a dog to the classroom but you don't want the background the photo was taken on. Now this can be done quite easily without expensive software. Go to remove.bg and upload the image, and the background will be removed automatically.
Once an image is in Slides or PowerPoint, you can resize and move it to fit your design.
Better advice– Add interactive links to images to make the classroom more engaging for students. To link any object, select it and then use Ctrl + K in Slides, or right-click and select “Hyperlink” in PowerPoint.
The best ways to use a Bitmoji classroom
Set expectations. Create a single sheet that sets out rules and guidelines for students on how to work remotely, for example. It can include tips like “mute your microphone,” “keep the video on,” “sit in a quiet place,” etc., each with a fun Bitmoji image that fits the guide.
Organize an open virtual classroom. Each room can offer a different orientation and be represented by a new slide. Verify This example from Rachel J. which uses Google Classroom.
Create a virtual tour or escape room using images and links. Here is an example Excursion template based on Professor De K's aquarium. and here is a Destinie B escape room.
Create a Bitmoji Library. Line up images of books on a virtual bookshelf and have each one link to a free or paid link for the student to access.
Go beyond digital. Using prints of your Bitmojis in the real-world classroom is a really nice way to brighten up your classroom space. It can also be useful, for example, to remind students of guidelines.