Diaz and McGee Present at Educause 2007

This Tuesday morning (10/23), Patricia McGee, UTSA Professor, and I will present our preconference seminar at Educause 2007 in Seattle. Our talk will focus on information/learning technology strategic planning, institutional grand challenges (access, accountability, assessment), and forecasting for the future among other topics.

| View | Upload your own

Second Life: The Numbers Speak

This week, New Media Consortium released [what I believe to be] the first data report on the Second Life community. Over 200 lifers told us about themselves.....very interesting. What did they say? First, they're newbies with 70% having been in SL for one year or less. This may be an indication of "experimental" behavior as opposed to deeper (and consequently) more meaningful use. Second, the vast number of users, 82%, are 35 and older. This tells us that the "Net Generation" is absent from this emerging technology. I think this has to do with SL's lack of social networking potential and heavy emphasis on imitating real life--ironically. Something that should be taken into consideration when using this tool in colleges and universities.

When asked about SL's educational potential, respondents noted that artistic expression, role playing, and simulations (in that order) were the best areas for application.

In any case, NMC asks the right questions and capturing this kind of data will allow us on the sidelines to observe its evolution.