The Extreme and Informal Learning Survey - MIT
OpenCourseWare and Open Educational Resources (copy)
1) According to the legislation and ethical principles of protecting research participants, children under 13
years old are not eligible for this online survey without parent's consent.
What's your age?
Age 12 and under
13-17
18-20
21-30
31-40
41-50
51-60
61-70
Above age 70
INDIANA UNIVERSITY INFORMED CONSENT STATEMENT FOR
Collecting Stories of Informal and Extreme Learning
You are invited to participate in a research study of informal learning or teaching with
technology (some of it will be simple self-study and other aspect might be considered highly
unusual or “Extreme Learning”). You were selected as a possible subject because of you were
identified from an online resource or nominated by someone. Alternatively, you may have
found out about this study from someone else and contacted us. Before agreeing to
participate, we ask that you read this form and ask any questions you may have before
agreeing to be in the study.
The study is being conducted by Dr. Curtis J. Bonk from the Department of Instructional Systems
Technology in the School of Education at Indiana University.
STUDY PURPOSE
The purpose of this study is to understand how technology can motivate someone to learn something new
(or to teach something to others) as well as share one’s new learning (or teaching ideas). We intend to
record many unusual ways that people are learning today in order to inspire others to continue to learn
when young as well as across their lifespan. We also want to record moments wherein technology
empowered someone or provided a peak learning experience (e.g., such as finding a new interest or
hobby or making a career change).
NUMBER OF PEOPLE TAKING PART IN THE STUDY
If you agree to participate, you will be one of a few thousand people who will complete our online survey
during the coming year. You might also be one of up to 200 subjects who will be contacted this year to
participate in the interview portion of this study. The study will likely continue for a few years.
PROCEDURES FOR THE STUDY
If you agree to be in the study, you will do the following things:
First you will complete a 27 item online survey about your informal and extreme learning experiences. The
survey will be anonymous. After completing the main survey items, you can stop there or you can
continue and respond to a set of 15 additional open-ended questions about your informal learning or
teaching experiences with Web technology. You will have as long as you like to complete these questions
and can skip any question in which you do not want to answer. In addition, some of these participants will
be asked to participate in online interviews or focus group sessions that will include about a series of
questions about their informal learning or teaching with technology. These sessions will last 45 to 60
minutes. They are also optional.
In addition to participating in this study, you can access the Extreme-Learning.org Website and read
through the informal learning stories of others or contribute one or more of your own. Such contributions
can be anonymous if you so choose.
RISKS OF TAKING PART IN THE STUDY
While participating in this study, there are several risks.
Given that this is a new and emerging area of research, there might be confusion about what is being
asked during this study at times. In addition, some participants may be directly quoted (with their
permission) about their experiences. It is conceivable that their heartwarming stories might inspire others
to contact you.
To minimize any risks, you can tell the researchers that you feel uncomfortable answering any question.
BENEFITS OF TAKING PART IN THE STUDY
The benefits to participation that are reasonable to expect are that you might become aware of similar
activities that others are engaged in. Such awareness might foster self-satisfaction and enhanced
motivation to learn as well as to help the learning of others.
ALTERNATIVES TO TAKING PART IN THE STUDY
Alternatives to participating in this study, include recommending other individuals who might fit the goals
and intensions of this study or Websites that we might investigate.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Efforts will be made to keep your personal information confidential. We cannot guarantee absolute
confidentiality. Your personal information may be disclosed if required by law. Your identity will be held in
confidence in reports in which the study may be published and databases in which the results may be
stored, unless you approve us to quote you in any resulting publication. Access to any recorded online
interviews or email transcripts will be accessible to the research team only and will be stored in a secure,
password protected server. They will only be used for educational purposes and will be destroyed on April
30, 2015.
Organizations that may inspect and/or copy your research records for quality assurance and data analysis
include groups such as the study investigator and his/her research associates, the Indiana University
Institutional Review Board or its designees, and (as allowed by law) state or federal agencies, specifically
the Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP).
In addition, as indicated, you can decide to contribute a unique learning story to the Extreme-learning.org
Website. Such contributions can be anonymous if you so choose. You can also provide your email contact
information at the end of the survey should you want a copy of our final report.
PAYMENT
You will not receive payment for taking part in this study.
CONTACTS FOR QUESTIONS OR PROBLEMS
For questions about the study or a research-related injury, contact the researcher, Dr. Curtis J. Bonk,
Professor, Indiana University, School of Education, at (812) 856-8353.
For questions about your rights as a research participant or to discuss problems, complaints or concerns
about a research study, or to obtain information, or offer input, contact the IU Human Subjects Office at
(800) 696-2949.
VOLUNTARY NATURE OF STUDY
Taking part in this study is voluntary. You may choose not to take part or may leave the study at any time.
Leaving the study will not result in any penalty or loss of benefits to which you are entitled. Your decision
whether or not to participate in this study will not affect your current or future relations with anyone
associated with this study, including those at Indiana University.
* Click here to see or download the original consent form document.
2) In consideration of all of the above, I give my consent to participate in this research study.
I will be given a copy of this informed consent document to keep for my records. I agree to take part in
this study.
Signature (Initials):
Date:
Note: 1. You may skip any question(s) you do not wish to answer, however, items marked with "*"
are particularly important to the researchers.
2. Informal learning is defined as a self-directed activity that takes place at any time one wishes and
could be part of one’s school work, family life, leisure pursuits, or work activities. In this survey, we are
mainly concerned with informal learning on the Web or with learning technology.
3) What are the three best Websites you use for learning something when you have a fairly simple
task or question? (Note: Please do NOT list Google, Yahoo!, Bing, or other search engines)
1.
2.
3.
4) What are the three best educational or information-rich Websites that you might recommend to
others that can significantly influence or change their lives in a positive way? (Note: Please do NOT list
Google, Yahoo!, Bing, or other search engines)
1.
2.
3.
5) *How do you find out about interesting, new, or unusual resources for learning on the Web? From...
(Check all that apply)
Announcements in my school, college, or organization, etc.
Blogs, podcasts, and wikis and other Web 2.0 technologies.
Browsing the Web on my own.
Class assignments, activities, tasks, etc.
Email, e-newletters, online news and announcements, etc.
Facebook, MySpace, Google Hangouts, or other social networks.
Friends, peers, classmates, colleagues, etc.
Instructors, teachers, tutors, etc.
Parents or other relatives.
Printed newsletters, magazines, books, etc.
Reading or watching the news.
Twitter and other microblogging sites.
✘
List any other ways:
6) *In general, which of the following personal factors are the main reasons you explore Web resources
or informally learn on the Web? (Check all that apply)
Choice or freedom to select the topic or resources.
Curiosity.
Feeling of personal control over my own learning.
Goals for self-improvement.
Hobbies.
I just want to learn something new.
Inner need to make a contribution to society.
Inner need to participate in a particular activity, resource, or event.
Interest in the topic.
Need for some information.
Personally felt need for new skills.
Professional growth (job related).
The website or activity looks exciting.
✘
Other (explain):
7) *In general, which of the following external factors motivate you to explore Web resources or
informally learn on the Web? (Check all that apply)
Class, homework assignment, exam, academic progress, etc.
Coolness of the technology.
Ease of use of the technology.
Ease of access to the Website.
Hear inspirational leaders.
It is the “in-thing” now or constantly in the news.
Job requirements.
Preparing for a standardized test or some type of performance.
Promoted in my school or organization.
Recommended by my friends, peers, etc.
Recommended by my teacher, instructor, or tutor.
Recommendations from friends and family.
Recommended by someone else you respect such as a role model.
Social connections and learning community.
✘
Other (explain):
8) *What have you achieved from your informal learning pursuits and activities on the Web? (Check all
that apply)
Changed my beliefs about what learning is.
Felt better about myself as a human being.
Felt better about myself as a learner.
Found a possible new job or position.
Got a certificate of completion.
Got a high score on an online game or activity.
Got interested in a particular occupation or career.
Learned something new.
Kept up with my friends.
Kept up with my family members.
Made new friends.
Moved up at work.
Personal freedom.
Scored higher on a standardized test or exam.
✘
Other (explain):
9) *On a scale of 0 (Awful) to 10 (Amazing), how would you rate your most recent Web-based learning
exploration, experience, or activity? (Note: “5” is Satisfactory)
✘
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
10) *On a scale of 0 (No Impact) to 10 (Significant Positive Impact), how would you rate the impact of
informal Web-learning experiences on your life? (Note: “5” = Some Positive Impact)
✘
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11) *Do you typically have help or guidance from someone else when you go online to learn something
new?
✘
Yes
No
12) *When you do get support, who typically helps you during your informal learning experiences? (Check
all that apply)
Counselors, advisors, etc.
Experts.
Friends, peers, classmates, colleagues, etc.
Family members.
Mentors, tutors, etc.
People you never met.
Teachers, instructors, trainers, etc.
✘
Other (explain):
13) *What are the typical obstacles and barriers you face when you learn informally on the Web? (Check
all that apply)
Difficult to use the site or service.
Lack of excitement.
Lack of quality resources.
Lack of self motivation or interest.
Lack of support.
Lack of time.
Limited access to the Internet.
Membership or technology fees or service charges.
Problems with accessing the Website.
Technology requirements (i.e., computer too old to use the features of the Website, software
needs upgrading, required additional devices such as headset, etc.).
Website is blocked or behind a firewall.
✘
Other (explain):
14) *What are the key factors that lead to your successes or personal changes when exploring Web
resources and engaging in other informal learning experiences? (Check all that apply)
Advice from others.
Choice.
Collaboration.
Control over the activity or resource.
Fantasy.
Feedback from the system or others on performance.
Freedom to learn.
Fun.
Identity.
New friends and colleagues or people in your personal network.
Novelty of the technology.
Online help or support systems.
Producing or creating something.
Sense of resource abundance (i.e., many free Web resources available to learn from).
Sense of adventure.
Sharing your ideas or contributing to the site or activity.
✘
Other (explain):
15) *On a scale from 0 (Not at all) to 10 (Very significantly), how much has your life changed because of
informal Web-based learning experiences? (Note: “5” = Moderately)
✘
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
16) *What would you tell a friend about your informal Web-based learning experiences? (Check all that
apply)
It is fun and exciting.
The technology is cool.
These experiences do not happen in traditional schools and universities.
You better grasp the similarities and differences of other people and cultures.
You can learn about anything that interests you.
You can learn anywhere and at any time.
You can connect to others with similar interests.
You collaborate with and meet new people.
You will add new friends and colleagues to your social network.
You will feel better about yourself.
You will have greater freedom to learn where, when, and how you like.
You will gain much new knowledge and competencies.
You will learn new technology skills.
Your learning opportunities will expand.
Your life is forever changed.
Your peers or learning partners can be located anywhere in the world.
✘
Other (explain):
For the purposes of this research, “Extreme Learning” is defined as using technology for
learning purposes in novel, unusual, or nontraditional ways. This includes learning with
technology when in various locations such as a park, plane, train, subway, boat, or car. It can
also include interactive learning activities when climbing a mountain, visiting a local company,
riding a bicycle, working in a war zone, or taking a vacation on a remote island. For some
people it involves mobile or interactive learning experiences such as in a museum, zoo,
auditorium, theater, or sports complex. Others might have experienced extreme learning
when at a summer camp, research station, or outdoor classroom. And still others might
engage in extreme learning when in a grocery store, cafe, bookstore, nursing home, airport,
hospital bed, or shopping mall.
Perhaps more commonly, you might be enrolled in a virtual school or university or have taken an online
class. You might have also used free and open educational resources or an online learning portal during
such online classes or experiences. In addition, extreme learning might include learning when in virtual
worlds or online communities, participating in social media, engaging in Webcam experiences or
videoconferences with people in other locations, sending or receiving text messaging with learners or
experts in other countries, and using mobile devices to solve a problem when in a remote area. It can also
occur when learning a language online individually or with others around the world. Highly extreme
learning is evident when tracking and communicating with an expedition or group of explorers or
adventurers in a learning adventure somewhere on the planet. It can happen when participating online in
a cause or global social movement of some type. It can even involve very casual and common informal
learning experiences such as using Wikipedia or a YouTube video to look up needed information.
17) *Based on the previous definition of “Extreme Learning,”on a scale from 0 (Not important) to
10 (Very important), to what degree is this type of learning important to you today? (Note: “5” =
moderately important)
✘
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
18) *Based on the previous definition of “Extreme Learning,” on a scale from 0 (Not important) to 10
(Very important), to what degree will this type of learning be important to you in 5-10 years? (Note: “5”
= moderately important)
✘
0
✘
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
19) *Based on the previous definition of extreme learning, would you say that you have had an “extreme
learning” experience?
✘
Yes
No
20) If you answered “yes” to question #19, rate the degree to which you enjoyed your most recent
extreme learning experience? (Note: 0 is “Didn’t enjoy it,” 5 is moderately enjoyed it, and 10 is “I loved
it!”) (Optional)
✘
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
21) *In general, what would you like to achieve by learning online informally or in an extreme way? (Check
all that apply)
A new course that counted for a degree.
A new course or module that did not count toward a degree.
A new skill or competency.
How to fix something.
New information about cultures or communities in the world.
Something that will better my life.
Something to help society improve or lead to a better world.
Something that I can use to help others.
Some type of collaborative, group, or team activity.
Some type of online adventure, quest, or game.
✘
Other (explain):
22) *Specifically, what would you like to learn online informally or in an extreme way? (Check all that
apply)
A foreign language.
Athletic skills.
Artistic skills.
Cultural information.
Environmental information.
Global information.
Health-related information
Historical information.
Math skills.
Music skills.
Outdoor skills.
Science skills.
Vocabulary skills.
✘
Other (explain):
23) *Where do you engage in informal learning with technology? (Check all that apply)
Airplane or airport terminal.
Boat or when at sea.
Car, truck, or bus.
Home.
Internet café, coffeehouse, bookstore, or similar.
Public library or other public places.
School or university campuses.
Sporting or entertainment events.
Subway, tram, or train.
Walking, hiking, or jogging.
Work.
Anywhere I am -- with the use of a mobile device.
✘
Other (explain):
24) *What devices do you use when learning informally with technology? (Check all that apply)
Car CD or DVD player or other media devices in car.
Desktop computer or workstation.
eBook Reader (e.g., Nook, Kindle, Sony Screen Reader, etc.)
iPod or iPod Touch.
Laptop or network computer.
Smartphone (including iPhone, Android, Blackberry, etc.).
Tablet computer (including iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab, etc.).
Television with Internet connection.
✘
Other (explain):
25) *What region of the world do you currently live in?
✘
Africa
Antarctica
Asia
Australia, New Zealand, or Polynesia (i.e., Oceania)
Europe
Middle East
North America (including Hawaii)
South America
26) *Gender:
✘
Female
Male
Prefer not to answer
27) Do you want to continue with open-ended questions on next page to provide more details?
✘
Yes
No
Note: Each item is optional. Please complete to the extent possible.
28) Some people learn a lot from exploring Web resources or information on their own. Can you describe
your most interesting or successful informal learning experience? What did you accomplish? Please
provide as many details of your story as you can remember.
29) In what ways was this informal learning activity unusual, interesting, or different compared to how you
have learned in the past or compared to others?
30) Why did you want to do this learning activity or task? What was your purpose or goals? Please
describe what captured your interest.
31) Has your life changed in a small or big way as a result of this informal learning activity or experience?
If so, how?
32) What was the key moment when learning informally with technology where you felt a personal
change? If so, please describe that moment, as best you can. For instance, were there certain things you
recall happening that led to this key moment?
33) Did any of this influence your personal, school, or social life? If so, how or in what ways?
34) Did you face any obstacles or challenges during this time when learning informally with technology? If
so, how did you overcome them?
35) What did you think about during this event or experience? Did you share your thoughts about this
informal learning activity with anyone else? Please explain.
36) Who or what influenced you to learn informally online or use a certain technology or online resource?
Did you have any role models or mentors? Did anyone help you? If so, how?
37) Did others help or support you to learn this way? For example, were there any friends, family
members, or organizations that might have helped you?
38) What role did technology play (if any) in this key moment? Stated another way, how did technology
help your informal learning experience?
39) Were there any cool, extremely different, or unusual uses of technology that helped you learn or
succeed?
40) Were there any particular technologies that you wish you had that might have helped improve your
overall experience?
41) Imagine someone trying to accomplish the same thing 10 years in the future. Can you think of what
technologies or other supports they might use to accomplish a similar task? What technologies might you
use in the future?
42) How might others try to do what you are doing? Do you have any suggestions for others who want to
learn on their own or informally with Web technology or resources?
43) How did you find out about this survey? (Please provide the name of the Website, online resource,
project, organization, activity, or person that told you about this survey)
44) What is your email address? Note: a few people may be sent a few additional follow-up questions.
(Optional)
45) If you provided your email address in the item above, do you want a copy of our research report sent
to that address?
✘
Yes
No
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