Second Life Student Survey

Instructions

Informed Consent Information

I am Tanya Joosten at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. I am conducting a study of how Second Life impacts social interaction, teaching, and student learning. I would appreciate your participation in this study, as it will assist us in making recommendations for implementing Second Life on campuses and in developing a better understanding of communication processes in virtual worlds.

If you agree to be in this study, you will be asked to fill out an online survey about your experience using Second Life for your course(s) that will take 20 minutes to complete. There are no known risks associated with your being in the study. Possible benefits are that you will have a voice in helping shape the instruction that other students receive and will contribute to the literature on Second Life.

The survey you fill out will be treated confidentially. Your email will not be linked to your survey answers after it is retrieved from the website. The emails will be used to contact you again in the future for follow up studies anticipated in the spring. Data from this study may be published in professional journals. Only grouped data will be presented or published. As an online participant in this research, there is always the risk of intrusion by outside agents, i.e., hacking, and therefore the possibility of being identified.

By checking the box below, you are stating that you are at least of 18 years of age and understand that any information about you will be treated in a confidential manner and that the data collected and the results obtained will be used for research purposes only. Your personal information will never be used to report any results of the projects. You understand that the records and data files related to this research project will be maintained in the UWM Learning Technology Center for a period no longer than ten years and that only personnel directly associated with this project will have access to them.

You understand that you may refuse to participate in this study or withdraw at any time without penalty. You understand that you may be withdrawn from this study by the investigators if you do not meet the screening criteria. You understand that, should you withdraw or be withdrawn from the study, any information that you have provided will be destroyed.

This study has been explained to you and your questions have been answered. If you have additional questions, you may contact the principal investigator:

Once the study is completed, we would be glad to give the results to you. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact me:

Tanya Joosten
Learning Technology Center
Department of Communication
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
PO Box 604
Milwaukee, WI 53201
tjoosten@uwm.edu
414.229.4319

I understand that if I have any complaints about my treatment in this study I may call or write:

Institutional Review Board
Human Research Protection Program
Department of University Safety and Assurances
University of Wisconsin � Milwaukee
P.O. Box 413
Milwaukee, WI 53201
(414) 229-3173

Please provide the following (*required)

Email*

General Information

1.	I have received an explanation of this study and agree to participate. I understand that my participation in this study is strictly voluntary.

	Yes
	No

2.	In which course did you use Second Life (be specific)?

3.	At which university did you take this course?

4.	Would you be interested in participating in a follow-up survey?

	Yes
	No

5.	Would you be interested in participating in a follow-up interview (over the phone or Internet)?

	Yes
	No

6.	What type of activities did you do in Second Life? Select all that apply.

	(Select all that apply.)
	Display a work product (writing, song, recording, video, architectural object, other art)
	Make observations of interactions in Second Life
	Make observations of the environment and objects in Second Life
	Interact with classmates in completing an assignment
	Interact with instructor in completing an assignment
	Interact with members in Second Life as part of an assignment
	Work as a group to complete a task
	Other-Explain
	Other:

7.	What communication tools did you use?

	(Select all that apply.)
	None
	Second Life chat tool
	Second Life audio tool (Voice over IP � VOIP)
	Tools outside of Second Life (discussion boards, chat, blog)
	Other - Explain
	Other:

8.	How would you classify your performance in this course (i.e., grades)?

	Excellent
	Above Average
	Average
	Below Average
	Poor
	Other-Explain
	Other:

Computer Use

Please rate your use of computers or computer software. There are no correct answers or preferred answers. Each item is rated on a 5-point scale ranging from never (1) to frequently (5).

(1) Never

(2) Rarely

(3) Sometimes

(4) Often

(5) Frequently

9.	How often do you use a computer at home?

10.	How often do you use a computer at school?

11.	How often do you use a computer at work?

12.	How often do you use a computer in a library?

13.	How often do you use a computer at a friend or family member's house?

14.	How often do you use a computer?

15.	How often do you use the Internet?

16.	How often do you send or receive electronic mail?

17.	How often do you use chat software/instant messenger (e.g., AOL, MSN, ICQ, etc.)?

18.	How often do you use spreadsheets (e.g., Excel, Lotus)?

19.	How often do you use a word processor (e.g., Word, WordPerfect)?

20.	How often do you use the computer for games?

21.	How often do you use the computer to view or edit graphics/photo images?

22.	How often do you use a courseware product (e.g., Desire2Learn, Blackboard, etc.)?

Social Interaction

Please rate your experience in Second Life based on how strongly you agree with each of the following statements. There are no correct answers or preferred answers. Each item is rated on a 5-point scale ranging from strongly agree (5) to strongly disagree (1). Also, if it is not applicable please choose N/A.

(0) Not Applicable (N/A)

(1) Strongly Disagree

(2) Disagree

(3) Neutral

(4) Agree

(5) Strongly Agree

23.	I was able to receive feedback from others right away in Second Life.

24.	The instructions for Second Life were clear.

25.	Using Second Life helped me think more deeply about course material.

26.	There was little opportunity for me to communicate with my classmates in Second Life.

27.	Using Second Life was fun and exciting.

28.	Second Life was beneficial to my learning.

29.	I sometimes had difficulty using Second Life.

30.	The goals in Second Life were clearly defined.

31.	I needed better technical support in Second Life.

32.	I liked using Second Life as part of my course.

33.	I could only to communicate basic messages in Second Life.

34.	Using the Second Life did not help me score higher on the exams.

35.	I was able to form distinct individual impressions of others in Second Life.

36.	The activity in Second Life was well-organized.

37.	I was able to convey multiple types of information (verbal and nonverbal) in Second Life.

38.	I received support materials prior to starting my Second Life activity.

39.	I couldn't understand what other people were trying to communicate to me in Second Life.

40.	I had adequate support in completing my activity in Second Life.

41.	I was not able to develop a closeness with others in Second Life

42.	Using Second Life did not improve my assignment grades.

43.	The learning activities in Second Life required me to think critically in Second Life.

44.	The learning experiences were active and collaborative in Second Life.

45.	I was unable to communicate nonverbally in Second Life.

46.	Second Life was a waste of time.

47.	My experience in Second Life helped me do better on my exams and other assignments.

48.	I would avoid classes using Second Life in the future.

49.	I felt as if I was communicating with a real person in Second Life.

50.	Second Life had little impact on my learning.

51.	I was able to develop a closeness with others in Second Life.

52.	I had immediate responses to my comments and questions in Second Life.

53.	I was not able to better understand course concepts by using Second Life.

54.	Second Life activities required little thought.

55.	I was comfortable interacting with other participants in Second Life.

56.	It was difficult to access Second Life.

57.	Second Life did not make it easier for me to understand the course material.

58.	I was able to be expressive in Second Life.

59.	It was difficult to get my point across when communicating in Second Life.

60.	Second Life did not help my learning in the class.

61.	It was difficult to receive feedback from others in Second Life.

62.	I was absorbed in the experience in Second Life.

63.	I was able to use rich and varied language in Second Life.

64.	I was unable to express myself in Second Life.

65.	Second Life helped me understand the course material.

66.	I did not feel connected to others in Second Life.

67.	I got higher scores on my assignments because of my experience in Second Life.

68.	I was engaged in the learning experience in Second Life.

69.	I was able to tailor messages to my own personal circumstances in Second Life.

70.	I was not able to form impressions of others in Second Life.

71.	I would recommend that the instructor continue using Second Life.

72.	Second Life was an enriching experience.

73.	I was able to transmit varied symbols (e.g., words, gestures, images) in Second Life.

74.	I was willing to put in the effort needed to complete the learning activities in Second Life.

75.	Second Life held my attention.

76.	Second Life did not help me to understand concepts better.

77.	I didn't feel like I was communicating with a real person in Second Life.

78.	Second Life aroused my imagination.

79.	The introductory explanations on how to use Second Life were clear.

80.	Second Life activities were not challenging.

81.	Second Life allowed me to better understand concepts.

82.	Participating in Second Life was a useful experience.

83.	I understood all components of the activity in Second Life.

84.	Second Life was boring.

85.	The method of grading my performance in Second Life was clear.

86.	I was not engaged in the learning activities in Second Life.

87.	I developed a personal relationship with my instructor in Second Life.

88.	I was able to communicate sufficiently with others in Second Life.

89.	The chat tool in Second Life was useful to my learning.

90.	The learning activity encouraged contact between myself and my classmates in Second Life.

91.	I would take another course that used Second Life.

92.	My classmates and I cooperated in completing assignments in Second Life.

93.	Getting into Second Life was easy.

94.	Technical support was available when I needed it in Second Life.

95.	I developed personal relationships with my classmates in Second Life.

96.	I had little problem using Second Life.

97.	The activity offered opportunities for interaction and communication in Second Life.

98.	I understood what was expected of me in Second Life.

99.	There was little cooperation in completing assignments with my classmates in Second Life.

100.	I would not recommend this course to a friend.

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