EXPERIENTIAL INFLUENCES SURVEY

The purpose of this survey instrument is to evaluate the role of prior experience and knowledge in
knowledge construction for adult learners. The data compiled will aid in developing relevant
engagements and activities, and meaningful course objectives within online learning environments.

ID Number: ___________________________________

A. DEMOGRAPHICS

1) Gender: Please specify your gender. ☐ Male ☐ Female ☐ Other

2) Age: Please select your age range. 3) Ethnicity: Please specify your ethnic origin or race.
☐ Less than 18 ☐ White / Caucasian
☐ 18 – 24 ☐ Hispanic or Latino
☐ 25 – 34 ☐ Native American
☐ 35 – 44 ☐ Asian / Pacific Islander
☐ 45 – 54 ☐ Other: ______________________________
☐ 55 and over

4) Employment: Please indicate your current employment status.

☐ Full-time employed for wages
☐ Part-time employed for wages
☐ Self-employed
☐ Not employed and seeking position
☐ Not employed but not seeking position
☐ Military
☐ Retired
☐ Unable to work

5) Experience: Please indicate your years of prior work experience.

☐ Less than 1
☐ 1–5
☐ 6 – 10
☐ 11 – 15
☐ 16 – 20
☐ 21 – 25
☐ More than 25

Created by Douglas G . Darby (Copyright 2019). EIS v2.0 1

Reproduction or duplicate without permission is prohibited. Contact doug.darby@lcu.edu
EXPERIENTIAL INFLUENCES SURVEY

INSTRUCTIONS: Consider each item listed and rate them independently. Circle the rating that indicates
the extent to which you agree with each statement. Please do not skip any rating.

SD = Strongly Disagree D = Disagree U = Undecided A = Agree SA = Strongly Agree

B. PRIOR KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE SD D U A SA

1) I use my preexisting knowledge in developing new knowledge ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯

2) My prior experiences play a role when learning new knowledge ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯

3) My existing knowledge of a topic affects how much I learn in the future about that topic ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯

4) I learn equally well with familiar topics and those that are entirely new to me ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯

5) I learn more effectively if I relate the materials to what I previously learned ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯

6) Learning involves relating new information to my existing knowledge ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯

7) I find it helpful to use prior experiences when studying new content ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯

8) It is helpful for me to connect what I learned from one course to another ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯

9) Learning activities and content that challenge my thinking help me to learn ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯

10) I better understand something once I have thought about it and put it into my own words ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯

C. ONLINE LEARNING SD D U A SA

1) Leveraging prior knowledge and experience is beneficial in online learning ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯

Acknowledgement:
This survey is based on the findings of the study entitled Students’ Conceptions of Distinct Constructivist
Assumptions (Loyens, Rikers, & Schmidt, 2007), and survey elements from Assessing Constructivist
Elements in the Online Learning Environment (Williamson, 2010)

Created by Douglas G . Darby (Copyright 2019). EIS v2.0 2

Reproduction or duplicate without permission is prohibited. Contact doug.darby@lcu.edu