Understanding The Backchannel

Lately, actually for over a year now, I have found that there is often a third presence in the room when I am giving speeches, teaching wokshops or classes. There’s me and there’s the audience or class – and then there’s what being called the backchannel.

Some folks find this very distracting. Jokes are made about the speaker (sometimes this is done anonymously and sometimes it can be quite hurtful), but sometimes people ask questions about the content of the speech or workshop and that can be quite helpful if others answer and enrich the talk with links and expanded jargon/initialisms. The jury is out on this backchannel stuff since it is multitasking – and if you can drive and TXT maybe we should be listenig to the whole event too – but then again, maybe not.

I have found it useful at times to teach classes where I followed the hashtag and kept an eye on the questions or the comments on my wall, etc. It is one of those social technologies that can be double-edged sword.

Anyway, Educause has has released their latest in the 7 things series:

7 Things You Should Know About Backchannel Communication (ID: ELI7057)

Abstract: “Backchannel communication is a secondary conversation that takes place at the same time as a conference session, lecture, or instructor-led learning activity. This might involve students using a chat tool or Twitter to discuss a lecture as it is happening, and these background conversations are increasingly being brought into the foreground of lecture interaction. Digital technologies allow background discussions—which have always been a component of classes, conferences, and presentations—to be brought out of the shadows and, perhaps, incorporated as a formal part of learning activities. Instructors and presenters alike should be aware of this dynamic and the opportunity it presents to add another dimension to learning.

The “7 Things You Should Know About…” series from the EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative (ELI) provides concise information on emerging learning technologies. Each brief focuses on a single technology and describes what it is, where it is going, and why it matters to teaching and learning. Use these briefs for a no-jargon, quick overview of a topic and share them with time-pressed colleagues.”

I’d just be happy if people behaved maturely over these media options.

Stephen