As educators, we often find ourselves searching for effective methods to help engage our students while teaching or leading class discussions. However, we often find that we hear from the same students when posing a question to the class or attempting to engage students in discussing a topic. What about the shy or less vocal students? How can we include the students who are hesitant to speak up, ask a question, or participate in class discussions?

Some instructors are incorporating the use of a backchannel during lecture or class discussions in order to give every student the opportunity to have a voice. What is a backchannel? EDUCAUSE (in their ELI publication – 7 Things You Should Know About Backchannel Communication) defines a backchannel as a a secondary conversation that takes place at the same time as a conference session, lecture, or instructor-led learning activity. Most educators agree that secondary conversations taking place during lecture or other class activities are typically frowned upon and can be a distraction to others. However, technology is providing new ways for backchannel or secondary communications to take place. 

Tools, such as Today’s Meet, make it possible for instructors to create virtual chat or backchannel areas that students can use during class to ask questions or contribute their thoughts on the topic being presented. Instructors can assign specific students to monitor the chat area. At designated times during the class meeting, the student monitors can pass along questions or thoughts to the instructor that have been posted to the chat/backchannel area. This gives all students a chance to participate in the class discussion. It also provides a documented log of questions and thoughts shared during class that instructors can review afterwards and provide necessary responses or feedback for to students. The documented conversation also allows instructors to pinpoint specific topics presented during class that students might have struggled with in comprehending.

What are your thoughts on implementing backchannel communications as part of your classroom? Have you tried this strategy? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.