A Must Have Digital Tool for Distance Learning and the Flipped Classroom

With distance learning upon us, teachers are looking for a way to create a virtual community with their class.  Teachers can have class discussions while being miles apart. And, when teachers return to the classroom, they can take the tools they used to facilitate distance learning and use them in their flipped classroom.  One of the best tools for these tasks is Backchannel Chat. And I have to say, this is one of those instances where dishing out for the paid version is worth it. 

Backchannel Chat is a handy app to have in your tool belt during this time of distance learning. And, if you’re looking to flip your classroom, this could be an indispensable tool to use when returning to the classroom. Backchannel Chat is not a discussion board. It’s essentially a real-time chat tool where you, the teacher, can interact with your class. Along with access to the web version, students can access their classroom chat via the iOS and Android apps. 

With the free version comes the ability to approve students' posts before they’re actually posted for all to see. It also comes with a built-in profanity filter. The teacher also has the ability to print a web version of the chat transcript which can be saved for grading purposes.

Like I said, the paid version of well worth it. The upgrade allows for the hiding of student names wherein only the teacher can see who is posting, and not the students. This is a fantastic feature in that it allows students to participate anonymously in a class discussion. Private messaging between the teacher and a student is also a handy feature to have, allowing for a virtual side chat with a student. Files can also be uploaded by the teacher and students, allowing for the critiquing of work or the analysis of a piece of text by all of the students. It’s also a good tool for online office hours. Let your students know you’ll be there at certain times where they can pop in with questions.  

Again, Backchannel Chat is a fantastic tool to have in your distance learning/flipped classroom toolbelt. Its uses are only limited by your imagination.