Backchanneling

For those of you out there with computer access for all students, this might be a technology for you. Backchanneling is an awesome tool that, if utilized correctly, can provide great discussion with students. Backchanneling is a tool that teachers can use to start conversation and urge discussion with students. This works particularly well because it allows for the less vocal and shy students to participate as well. This is because backchanneling is a program that documents and shares student response through text sent by a computer. Essentially it is a giant chat room that you can create for your class that you can project onto the wall. Simply guide the students through a discussion, movie, presentation, or activity and watch as responses, questions, and opinions appear on the wall from the students. This works particularly well with schools who have the 1:1 initiative. A backchannelling program that I find to work very well is called TodaysMeet. You simply have to go to the website, input the name of your chat room, provide the name and address to the students, and start the conversation. Following is the link to the website: TodaysMeet. Have fun!