Kathleen Gradel from SUNY Fredonia gave another wonderful presentation. This time, it focused on different ways you could introduce a backchannel into the classroom.
Gradel used a populr.me site as a jumping-off point for her presentation. One of the first activities was using a Todaysmeet.com site to create a backchannel for the workshop. She asked the group for tools that could be used for a backchannel in the classroom.
Here is the list the group provided:
- Slack
- iClicker
- Google Slides
- Google Docs
- Google Forms
- Adobe Sparks
- Kahoot
- Flippity.net
- Padlet
Backchannel Benefits
Backchannels are a great way to curate resources. They can be used to leverage the knowledge in the room.
- How to use Twitter hashtags and the backchannel for professional development
- Make the hashtag work for you
- Tools and Methods – Twitter
Smart Room
Gradel introduced the idea of a smart room. A smart room has three elements: cooperative learning, engagement, and accountability. She then used the smart room framework to look at different backchannel tools.
Google Slides Q&A
Google has added a feature to the Google Slides presenter mode that will create a link to a Q&A module at the top of each slide. Participants can then go to the link to ask questions. Participants can also up and downvote questions to show how important a question is.
Gradel mentioned that the Google Slides Q&A could be used to check on Muddiest Points. Tips for getting the most out of Google Slides Q&A:
- Add stopping point in your presentation for Q&A.
- Award points for great questions.
- Encourage the voting of questions.
Plickers
Plickers is another tool that I personally like for assessing the temperature in the room. They are “QR” codes that represent either A, B, C, or D depending upon the orientation. The instructor would then scan the room with a phone app to get results. Questions can be developed on the fly to do quick assessments.
- Plickers Rock!
FlipGrid
FlipGrid was a new tool for me. FlipGrid participants can leave a video message in response to a prompt.
Other Ideas
Gradel shared a number of other great ideas for creating engaging collaborative assignments in the classroom.
- Padlet – Using Padlet to create infomercials about interviews and resources.
- Google Docs – Building study guides, fact sheets, and team notes.
- Symbaloo – Using student-built games for course review.
- Hyperdocs – Here is an example of a Hyperdoc. More about Hyperdocs.
- Autocopy Google Docs – You can set up the link for Google apps so that students will automatically create a copy when they click on a link.
Again, this was a wonderful presentation. Not only do I appreciate the technologies she shares but also how she uses them in the classroom.
If you want to know more about anything I have shared, please contact me or another member of the TEI team.
Other Gradel Presentations
- #CANISIUSCIC – BreakoutEDU: Try it, learn about it, build takeaways
- #CANISIUSCIC – Augmented Reality + Google Maps: Integrating Skills with Zest!
- #SUNYCIT: Yikes… No More Ignoring Google!
- #SUNYCIT: Getting Out of Our Comfort Zones… Capitalizing on “the smartest person in the room” Mindset
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