ABSTRACT
This chapter considers aspects of informal learning in online citizen science projects by exploring the motivation of citizens to participate. It explores some of online citizen science issues, in particular focusing on why citizen scientists register on projects, but also, crucially, what makes them stay and become productive members of a distributed research project. A small body of data exists exploring the motivation to participate in online citizen science projects. Few have considered the role of informal science learning in initiating and maintaining involvement in online citizen science projects. The chapter explores how online citizen science projects promote informal learning of science, of technology and of forms of distributed collaboration. It investigates the citizens from the online inquiry projects that appear to appeal to male, well-educated and scientifically engaged individuals who are also likely to be confident with computer technology. Opportunities for online collaboration were observed in all projects, but were most evident in Foldit.
