Method, systems, and media for participating in and conducting a learning session of a collaborative network. Various embodiments of methods, systems, and media for participating in a learning session of a collaborative network are presented. User image data is received. The user image data is converted into expressive avatar information comprising an avatar identifier and an avatar emotion identifier. The expressive avatar information is transmitted. Altered instructional content is received, wherein the altered instructional content is an alteration of the instructional content and the alteration is based on a plurality of avatar identifiers and a plurality of avatar emotion identifiers, wherein the plurality of avatar identifiers comprises at least the avatar identifier, and wherein the plurality of avatar emotion identifiers comprises at least the avatar emotion identifier. User image data may be converted into expressive avatar data using facial expression recognition techniques.