Home About LEARN Services and publications Contact us Help Site map Français
Learn Logo

Backchannel


Definition:
learn_defin
 A backchannel is text conversation that is done during a presentation through a microblogging tool. The teacher / presenter may set it up or it may be done by people without at the knowledge of the speaker (often in conferences). It may be public using tools like Twitter or can be done in a private chat room. In conferences, many people "tweet" comments, reactions and ideas from the presentation to share with a larger audience.
Tools:
learn_usethis
 Some of the backchannel (live blogging) tools have ads.
For a list of tools click here.
How to:
learn_skill
 Each tool is different in its use. Most have a small window into which you can type your message. You can usually direct the message to everyone or to a specific person.
Pedagogical uses:
learn_idea		 Students can:
  • provide feedback
  • ask questions
  • react to what the presenter is saying.
  • add information to the discussion
  • collaborate with students and others outside the class

Teacher can:
  • put up questions
  • monitor online behaviour in a safe setting
  • have a transcript of the chat and who contributed
There is a record of the chat, so the presenter (student or teacher) can go back to reply to the questions at the end of the presentation.
You can invite guests into your classroom via a tool like Skype. The expert can then be part of the backchannel, answering students' questions.

To learn more watch this video: Backchannels in the Classroom
Collaboration in the community:
collab3		  When conferencing with another class through Skype or another platform, both classes can join the backchannel to contribute to the discussion or ask questions.


















< Back to Glossary >