Back Channeling in the Educational Setting

Last week, Mrs. Pearson decided to take a chance and explore implementing a back channel into her lesson.  For those of you who are unfamiliar with back channeling, it is a place for participants to communicate with each other in real time.  This conversation happens in the background while participants are listening to a lecture, lesson, or presentation.  Back channels tend to be popular at some presentations at a conference.

As a result of this, Mrs. Pearson and I decided to attempt back channeling during one of her lessons.  We decided to use TodaysMeet, a back channel service.  Click HERE to view the actual website.  Mrs. Pearson created her back channel in minutes.

Students were tasked to watch a particular film in the film studies class.  Rather than students taking their own notes, they were tasked to participate in a back channel and take notes as a whole class.  In the channel, students were to ask any questions that they had as well as include information that they found in the movie that was important to remember.  To help with the process, students were informed how to include information.

Depending on what they saw, depended on how they started their comment.  If they saw something pertaining to stereotyping, they started the message with ST:.  If they saw an overlaying message, they started the statement with MS:.  This really helped seeing as though they only had 140 characters for each comment.  Also, this will help when the class goes back to view the transcript as they are able to search through the comments with ease.  Students will need to do this as they have to reflect on the movie by writing their own paper.

There are positives and negatives to using this service.

Advantages:

• No account is needed
• No invitation is needed
• Easy access to back channel (only need the URL)
• Has a twitter feel to it (140 character messages)
• Information is updated in real time
• Students are used to social media
• Creator of the back channel determines how long the channel stays active
• A transcript is saved during the entire time the channel is open.
• Participants to go back to channel at any time.

Disadvantages:

• No account is needed which means that anyone can enter and add information to the channel if they have the URL.  This means they could 'act' as someone else without anyone knowing
• If you forget the URL, you are unable to get back to the channel
• Need internet access

Mrs. Pearson and I were very surprised and happy at how well this lesson went.  Students were engaged the whole time.  It even turned into a 'competition' as each student wanted to get their thoughts in before anyone else.  We also felt as though students were paying more attention to the movie since they were watching/reading the channel as well.  We both were very proud of the students.

Regardless if you are wondering how this could be implemented into your curriculum or already have an idea, I ask that you see me first.  It is important that students hear some important information regarding the back channel.  Students must clearly understand that the channel is open to anyone and must participate appropriately.

This is a great web 2.0 tool that you will find engages students!