2008 Educators in Second Life Survey
In May of 2008, the NMC conducted its second annual survey of educators in Second Life, provided as a yearly snapshot of the demographics and activities of educators who are active in Second Life. A link to the survey was sent to by email to individuals within the NMC’s Second Life communities and to the Second Life Educators Listserv (SLED). This year, 358 individuals responded to the survey.
The NMC snapshot is a global one, as opposed to the UK-only nature of the Virtual World Watch snapshots and associated surveys. The highlights can be found here, as well as downloadable summaries and results.
A few of the highlights, which may be indicative of trends (though it should be noted that we are still talking of small numbers of SL educators):
- This year 29% of survey participants report holding virtual office hours in SL; 37 of them (12%) have taught a class entirely in SL (up from 14 or 8% in 2007).
- The percentage who have been in Second Life for 1-3 years increased from 30% in 2007 to 56% this year.
- More then two-thirds are between 36 and 55 years old [Is this a surprise? This is the main age range for educators].
- Also similar to last year, about half of the respondents find time for Second Life by watching less television.
The primary activities educators are doing in Second Life remain the same. The top five activities that educators report as doing in Second Life have not changed from 2007:
- Random wandering (86%)
- Listening to presentations and talks (84%)
- Meeting new people (82%)
- Participating in meetings (80%)
- Building things (64%)
