This is a research study. You must be 18 or older to participate. Please read the informed consent information below and take your time in deciding if you would like to participate.

INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this study is to learn more about how inservice and preservice language teachers perceive the use of virtual worlds in the specific context of world language teacher development. Our research is intended to better understand the potential benefits and constraints of virtual worlds in this context. You are being invited to participate in this study because you are a language teacher or are a student who is currently working toward certification to teach a language.

DESCRIPTION OF PROCEDURES
If you agree to participate in this study, you will be requested to fill out an online survey through surveymonkey.com. It will take you less than 30 minutes to complete the whole survey. The following procedure will be followed:

1. You will access the survey after you click on ACCEPT (bottom of this page);

2. While filling out the survey, you will be able to skip any questions you do not wish to answer;

3. You will be able to leave the survey at any time.

RISKS
Participation in this study poses no foreseeable risks.

BENEFITS
If you decide to participate in this study there will be no direct benefit to you. It is hoped that the information gained in this study will benefit society by providing valuable information about the benefits and constraints that virtual worlds offer for language teacher development

COSTS AND COMPENSATION
You will not have any costs from participating in this study. You will not be compensated for participating in this study.

PARTICIPANT RIGHTS
Your participation in this study is completely voluntary and you may refuse to participate or leave the study at any time. If you decide to not participate in the study or leave the study early, it will not result in any penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled

CONFIDENTIALITY
Records identifying participants will be kept confidential to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations and will not be made publicly available. However, auditing departments of Iowa State University, and the Institutional Review Board (a committee that reviews and approves human subject research studies) may inspect and/or copy your records for quality assurance and data analysis. These records may contain private information.

To ensure confidentiality to the extent permitted by law, the following measures will be taken:

1. E-mail addresses are collected to invite participants and track non-respondents for reminder purposes only. A link at the bottom of the invitation message allows participants to opt out. Participants who have opted out of the study will not receive reminders.

2. The Primary Investigators and Project Adviser will have access to submissions through a password protected web site. The data will be retained until December 31, 2009. If the results are published, the participants’ identity will remain confidential.

QUESTIONS OR PROBLEMS
You are encouraged to ask questions at any time during this study.
For further information about this study, please contact Julio C Rodriguez by phone (+1 515 294-3415); Skype ( julio.mdz) or through e-mail at jcesar@iasate.edu.

If you have any questions about the rights of research subjects or research-related injury, please contact the IRB Administrator, (515) 294-4566, IRB@iastate.edu, or Director, (515) 294-3115, Office of Research Assurances, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011.