Voki.com

Instructors! Check out this site:  www.voki.com
Create your own avitar for your online courses.  Students can also create an avitar. 

No doubt, there aren't many selections to make your avitar look exactly like you.  But, you could create a funky character.  It is better than paragraphs and paragraphs of text, anyway.  I think it catches the attention of the online student, and causes them to be more engaged. 

Check out mine below: