The Infrared (IR) BoosterPack Plug-in Module is shipped with an IR receiver TSOP58438 from Vishay. While this IR receiver has good noise immunity and can handle some of the IR remote modulation schemes, it may not be suitable for other usages.
One variable is the sub-carrier frequency. The last 2-digit of the said Vishay part number indicates that it is designed for frequencies near 38 kHz. Other choices are 30, 33, 36, 40 and 56 kHz.
Another variable is the characteristics of the built-in AGC circuit. The third digit of the said Vishay part number indicates that it has AGC4. Other choices are AGC1, AGC2, AGC3 and AGC5. These designations have to do with the tradeoffs between noise immunity and limits of burst length and duty cycle in the modulation scheme of the remote control code.
For code learning (as oppose to receiving and decoding of known scheme), I recommend the Vishay Part TSMP58000.