Well, the numbers are in for the age surveys I posted a few days ago!
Twitter Age
The results were very close to my estimate (37) of the average age of my Twitter network (right now I have 378 followers, although it was less when I first started the survey). I had an amazing 226 responses (and yes, I did delete the input number of 128). Here’s what my Google form results showed……..and remember just how unscientific this poll was - completely anonymous and publicized via twitter and my blog. Nothing stopping anyone from posting a gazillion times and nothing to stop anyone from lying about their age. But honestly, who would bother messing with the results of this? Well, except for the 128-year-old. I was just going to post the average, but @ijohnpederson decided to push a little harder, so I went to the trouble of a bit more analysis. Didn’t go too far, though - I know when enough is enough!
Average = 39.6
Max = 61
Min = 17
Mode = 36
Median = 39.5
Count = 226
You can view the actual data here: Twitter Age Results
Blog Reader Age
I only had 28 responses to this, so results aren’t quite as interesting, but here they are:
Average = 35
Max = 55
Min = 20
Mode = 35
Median = 35
Count = 28
You can view the actual data here: Blog Reader Age Results
The most intriguing thing I learned here was that a certain someone (Diane) didn’t partake…….and probably didn’t read my post………..see, truly EVERYTHING you do on the internet is tracked. No, really. Your friends are watching you.
I’m eating my words - see comments, she obviously reads my blog - she read it before it was even posted :-)
I do have to admit that I did the analysis in Excel - old habits die hard!
So, do with this what you will - a thought-provoking post on my interpretation of these results will be coming soon.
For now, what do YOU think these numbers mean?
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The results mean: some of us are older than others! Profound, I know.
But Kate, I did reply - twice!
@kolson29 Recent twitter poll put the average age of respondents at 37. The average of me + @lindseak would be slightly higher! 03:53 PM March 24, 2008 from web in reply to kolson29
@kolson29 O.K. if subtle didn’t work: I’m 60 - 61 in May. 04:36 PM March 24, 2008 from web in reply to kolson29
With some added comments:
I’m replicating my family online: @garageflowers is the age of my daughter @kolson29 the age of my son @lindseak is my virtual granddaughter 04:41 PM March 24, 2008
Does this make me matriarch of our group?Do I have terrifying power which I choose to unleash only on tech scoffers? (obviously no one here) 04:52 PM March 24, 2008
Did you think that I’d ignore your poll? We are not amused.
Very interesting unscientific poll. Who says Twitter is for the younger set?
@stuart - wow, you’re so deep! Thanks for the analysis :-) On a more serious side, I’m referring to the use of networking tools by the youngest teachers. As I said, I’ll be addressing this later………
@Diane - Please go back and check out my post, I’m currently eating my words :-) However, the age of the matriarch was not represented in the Blog Reader survey, although it definitely was in the Twitter survey. All is forgiven, though. Moving on……….
All is forgiven. I have a lovely batch of homemade cookies waiting for you.
@Melanie exactly the point I’m trying to make! Wow, you ARE savvy!
The possibilities are very interesting. It kind of reminds me of the annual edublog awards. I guess there will always be ways to hack the data. I am just surprised on the authenticity you can get from a network like twitter. Especially because it’s so organic and constantly changing. btw I am your average run of the mill twitter’r clocking in at 39.
I feel like running these number through my stat program (one I made using C#) just to give you some more stuff…
Though what this really shows is that the ‘digital generation’ mumbo jumbo is just that.
I’ve never been so happy to be below the average :) Very interesting results Kate :)
Gee, I’m older than the average. Hmm, I’m not sure that is good or bad! lol Thanks for sharing. This was interesting.
That is interesting. If you had asked me before I would’ve predicted a younger average. I guess it goes to show that with age comes wisdom. :-)
The use of technology at my school is definitely more prevalent with the younger teachers than older, which is probably why I was surprised by the results.
Perhaps this is the result of teacher education programs not teaching how to integrate technology into the classroom?
Looking at those figures Kate makes me feel like an old proud digital fart.
Given my age and experience I am probably a digital connoisseur and perhaps, sooner than most of the respondents in your survey, digital dust.
I would love to see a gender analysis added to those results.
Cheers, John
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