SV-2005-0005 BRIDGE Program Questionnaire for U.S. Students

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

BUREAU OF EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS

For OMB Approval under Information Collection #1405-0158

Building Respect through Internet Dialogue and Global Education

(BRIDGE) Program

Questionnaire for U.S. Students

Introduction:

The sponsors of the Building Respect through Internet Dialogue and Global Education (BRIDGE) Program are interested in your experiences and views on the programs, their activities, and how they might be improved. Therefore, the Office of Policy and Evaluation of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), which sponsors the BRIDGE program, has contracted Aguirre International, an independent research firm, to conduct an evaluation to learn about your experiences.

Please note that the U.S. Department of State sponsors multiple BRIDGE programs in different parts of the world. Although the programs have the same basic structure and goals, the projects differ somewhat in their implementation, terminology, and services, which may be apparent in this survey. We appreciate your assistance in this effort and the time you are giving us.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Only aggregated statistical information will be reported. No individual level data will be released by Aguirre International.

Thank you in advance for taking the time to complete this survey. We expect the completion time to be approximately fifteen (15) minutes. In order to verify this estimate, we will ask you at the end of the survey to record the actual completion time. Please answer each question to the best of your ability.

Thank you for your participation.

Privacy Act and Paperwork Reduction Act Statements:

The information solicited on this survey is requested pursuant to the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (P.L. 103-62) and the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended, also known as the Fulbright-Hays Act (22 U.S.C. 2451, et seq.). In order to ensure that the U.S. Department of State’s international exchange programs meet statutory program requirements (22 U.S.C. 2460(c)), the Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) regularly monitors the programs, gathers data about program accomplishments, and evaluates selected ones. ECA uses the information collected to inform program design, management, and funding. All personal information that is collected through surveys is considered confidential. All responses are coded to ensure the confidentiality of individual responses. Data collected under this study will not be shared, sold, or used for fundraising purposes. Survey data and findings will be used only in an aggregate form for the express purposes of fulfilling the data needs of the outcome assessment. Responses to this survey are voluntary.

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average fifteen (15) minutes to respond to this survey, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. An Agency may not conduct or sponsor, and respondents are not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. Please send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing the burden, to: A/RPS/DIR, U.S. Department of State, Washington, D.C. 20520.

1. Are you currently involved in BRIDGE program activities of any kind?

 Yes, I am currently involved

 No, I am not currently involved but was in the past

 I have never been involved in BRIDGE activities (Exit Survey)

2. What year did you become involved in BRIDGE program activities? ______

3. When do you participate in the majority of BRIDGE activities? Please select one response.

 Before or after school hours (01)

 During school hours (02)

 Both during AND after school hours (03)

4. Do you consider the BRIDGE activities you participate in to be part of your school work or an extra-curricular activity?

 Part of my school work (01)

 An extra-curricular activity (02)

 Activities are part of my school work AND an extra-curricular activity (03)

 Other. Please explain:

5. Please indicate the reason you became involved in BRIDGE program activities? Please select all that apply.

 To learn about other countries (01)

 To go on an exchange (02)

 The subject of the on-line forum interested me (03)

 My friends were involved (04)

 My teacher asked me to become involved (05)

 I have been involved in international exchanges before (06)

 Other, please specify:

6. Due to your participation in BRIDGE activities, do you feel…

1. that you access the Internet more often ?  Yes (01)  No (02)

2. that your computer skills have improved ?  Yes (01)  No (02)

BRIDGE ACTIVITIES

7. Have you worked with a partner school, schools and/or students located overseas on any BRIDGE activities? Please select one response.

Yes (01) 

No (02)  (Exit Survey)

8. In what country (or countries) are the students and/or the partner school(s) located? Please select all that apply.

Egypt (01) Jordan (02) Lebanon (03)

Morocco (04) Pakistan (05) Other (please specify):

9. What activities have you participated in through BRIDGE? If you did not participate in the activity, please select the Did not participate in this type of activity option. Please select all that apply.

	Activity	Did not participate in this type of activity (09)	Within your school (01)	With a school(s)overseas (02)	With another school in the United States (03)
a.	Online forums/discussions/projects				
b.	Hosted a BRIDGE student from another country				
c.	Website development				
d.	Online competitions				
e.	Online classes/courses				
f.	Special presentations				
g.	Research projects with other students				
h.	Research projects with teachers				
i.	Own research projects				
j.	Other (please specify):				

10. Please select up to three topics that were discussed in your most substantial BRIDGE activities. Please select up to three responses.

 Local community issues or local government (01)

 Culture, religion or history (02)

 International or national current events (03)

 Ethnic and race relations (04)

 Conflict resolution (05)

 Education (06)

 Environment/natural resources (07)

 Popular culture (movies, music) and sports (08)

 American studies, elections, holidays, etc. (09)

 English (10)

 Health (11)

 Issues affecting vulnerable groups (the disabled, refugees, etc) (12)

 Gender issues (13)

 Ethics (14)

 Information and communication technologies, including internet (15)

 Other (16)

11. Of the following activities, which were your favorites? Please choose up to three.

Online forum, discussions, or projects	
Hosting a BRIDGE student from another country	
Website development	
Online competitions	
Online classes/courses	
Special presentations	
Research projects with other students	
Research projects with teachers	
Own research projects	
Other (please specify) _____	

12. Have you attended a national, regional and/or international conference/workshop sponsored by BRIDGE? Please select one response.

Yes (01) 

No (02)  (If No, Skip to #14)

13. What did you learn from attending the conference/workshop that you did not learn from solely participating in the online activities?

MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AND PARTICIPANT REFLECTIONS

14. To what extent have the activities with the students you met through your participation in BRIDGE activities helped you gain a better understanding of their culture and/or society? Please select one response.

To a Large Extent (04)	To Some Extent (03)	To a Small Extent (02)	Not At All (01)
			

15. How would you rate your interest in international issues before your participation in BRIDGE program activities and now?

		Very Interested (04)	Interested (03)	Somewhat Interested (02)	Not Interested (01)	Not Applicable/ Don’t Know (09)
a.	Before Program					
b.	Now					

16. Have you shared what you have learned about other countries through BRIDGE activities with other students, friends, family members, and/or other individuals?

 Yes (01)

 No (02)

17. What was one surprising thing that you learned about the countries, or country, you interacted with through BRIDGE activities?

18. What have you learned about YOUR OWN COUNTRY as a result of participating in the BRIDGE program?

LOOKING TOWARD THE FUTURE…
Please select one response for each question below.

19. Do you think you will remain in contact with the students you have communicated with through BRIDGE activities after you move on to the next grade level and/or complete your schooling?

 Yes (01)  No (02)  Don’t Know (09)

20. Have parent and/or community groups formed to plan out and/or fundraise for BRIDGE activities at your school?

 Yes (01)  No (02)  Don’t Know (09)

STUDENT OVERSEAS EXCHANGES (only for participating students)

21. Have you participated in an overseas exchange sponsored by BRIDGE?

 Yes (01)  No (02) (Skip to #28)

22. What country (or countries) did you travel to?

Egypt (01) Jordan (02) Lebanon (03)

Morocco (04) Pakistan (05) Other (please specify) _____________

23. How long were you overseas on your exchange? Please indicate length of time in weeks. ______ weeks

24. What activities did you take part in during your time abroad? Please select one response for each item. (If none checked, skip to #26)

		Yes (01)	No (02)
a.	Training on computer and Internet skills		
b.	Homestay with a family		
c.	Cultural Activities: visits to museum, theater, etc.		
d.	Site visits to schools; sat in on a classroom		
e.	Gave a presentation on my country and customs		
f.	Meetings with community and/or government leaders		
g.	Participated in a community service project		

25. Which three exchange activities did you find the most valuable?

a.	Technical training: training on computer and Internet skills	
b.	Homestay with a family	
c.	Cultural activities: visits to museum, theater, etc.	
d.	Site visits to schools; sat in on a classroom	
e.	Presentation given on my country and customs	
f.	Meetings with community and/or government leaders	
g.	Participation in a community service project	

26. After you returned to the U.S., did you begin work on a follow-up joint project with the students and/or teachers you met during the exchange?

 Yes (01)  No (02)

27. Please assess how much your participation in online collaborative projects with overseas schools, students, and/or teachers has increased since your return home. Please select one response.

To a Large Degree (04)	To Some Degree (03)	To a Small Degree (02)	Not At All (01)
			

INDICATOR QUESTIONS

You will notice that the questions below use the phrases “exchange program” and “exchange experience.” This is meant to include both online exchanges you may have had with students and/or teachers outside of your school or any travel you’ve done or visits you’ve made as part of the BRIDGE activities.

28. Have you shared your program experience or the knowledge you gained during your participation in any of the following ways? Please check only one response in each row.

	Yes (01)	No (02)
Participated in media interviews (newspaper, television, radio, internet)		
Gave presentations to community, neighborhood, school or university groups		
Wrote newspapers articles, including editorials and opinion pieces.		
Wrote academic books		
Wrote non-academic books		
Wrote academic articles for journals or academic publications		
Other (please write in):		

29. As a direct result of your participation in the exchange program, have you done or received any of the following in your school or university? Please check one response for each item.

		Yes (01)	No (02)
a.	Higher level of responsibilities or leadership at school/university		
b.	Organized or initiated new activities or projects at school/university community		
c.	Established a new organization at school/university		

30. As a direct result of your participation in the exchange program, have you done or received any of the following in your community? Please check one response for each item.

		Yes (01)	No (02)
a.	Assumed a leadership role or position in your community		
b.	Organized or initiated new activities or projects in your community		
c.	Established a new organization in your community		

31. Have you used the knowledge or experience gained in the program to initiate any of these formal or informal changes in your organization or work? Please check one response for each item.

	Yes (01)	No (02)
Increased volunteer activities/community service		
Founded an NGO or new organization		
Introduced new ideas and knowledge		
Introduced initiatives, new ways of doing things		
Established new exchanges		
Tried to influence public opinion about the United States through the media		
Established joint ventures, organizational partnerships, or linkages		
Introduced new policies or procedures		
Introduced new curricula, pedagogical methods, or educational standards		
Became elected or appointed to a local, regional or national government position		
Proposed, wrote, and/or passed a new law or treaty		

32. Please rate your satisfaction with the following program components.

	Very Dissatisfied (01)	Dissatisfied (02)	Neutral (03)	Satisfied (04)	Very Satisfied (05)
a. Administration					
b. Content					
c. Variety of experiences					
d. Relevance of program to professional or educational development					

DEMOGRAPHIC QUESTIONS

Sex:  Male (01)  Female (02)

Year of Birth _ _ _ _

What grade are you in?

 Elementary School (1^st to 6^th grades) (01)

 Junior High (7^th, 8^th and 9^th grades) (02)

 High School (10^th, 11^th and 12^th grades) (03)

I currently live in (or reside most of the time) a:

 Small city, town or rural location (100,000 – 499,999 people) (01)

 Medium size city (500,000 – 1,499,999 people) (02)

 Large size city (1,500,000 -2,999,999 people) (03)

 Very large size city (3,000,000 or more people) (04)

HOW LONG DID IT TAKE TO COMPLETE THIS SURVEY? ________ MINUTES

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION

SV-2005-0005 OMB No.: 1405-0158

Expiration Date: 02/29/2008

Estimated Burden: 15 minutes