Backchannel discussions
Also known as: synchronous discussions, back-channelling
Backchannel discussions enable students to participate in an online discussion that occurs as a background activity whilst engaging in a main class activity. They:
- provide educators with opportunities to informally assess students' knowledge through reviewing chat transcripts
- promote student engagement and participation
- are best employed with a clear structure and protocols.
ICT templates
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Google templates |
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Microsoft templates |
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How to use with ICT
- Microsoft Teams and Zoom have chat functionality which allow students to post comments and questions whilst a presentation or live activity is running.
External resources
| Title | Link | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Backchannel in education – Nine uses by Derek Bruff on the Agile Learning website | Backchannel in education | A comprehensive exploration of the possibilities for using a backchannel in educational settings. |
| Nine classroom backchannel tools you can start using today by Martine Ellis on her blog The Teaching Space | Nine classroom backchannel tools | This is episode 20 of The Teaching Space podcast and it is all about backchannel tools. |
| Backchannel chat is an online review by Amy Lauren Botula, hosted on the Common Sense Education website | Backchannel chat online review | This is go-to information for any teacher or school considering signing up to the Backchannel Chat platform. |
| Audience response and backchannel tools on Jane Hart’s C4LPT blog | Audience response and backchannel tools | Tools used to gain live audience responses and/or build a backchannel, listed in alphabetical order. |
| Backchannel and informal Assessment Tools: Compared in one Chart on Richard Byrne’s blog Free Technology for Teachers | Backchannel and Informal Assessment Tools: Compared in one Chart | A useful comparison chart evaluation of eleven backchannel tools. Downloadable as a PDF or Google Doc. |
| 10 Ways to Use Backchannels in Your Classroom on Med Kharbach’s blog Educational Technology | 10 ways to use backchannels in your classroom | Tips and procedurals on ways to create and use backchannels in classrooms. |
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