Backchannel Chats (English 3 @LHS)

This post was created to help support an upcoming lesson for an English 3 class. This is blog 1 of 3 in this series.

We were given the task of helping the students keep their audience authentically engaged when they present their research to the class. This post will show the mechanics of setting up Backchannel Chat and in class, we will discuss how to effectively use this tool to elevate the engagement.

Pro Tip - It might be a good idea to identify someone to be the moderator of the chat.

Start by visiting Backchannel and click the big blue button. (Try for FREE as a TEACHER)

Enter in the necessary information.

The most important part of this step is to make sure the name of your Backchannel is related to what you are going to be talking about.

You should see a short code at the end of the address on the next screen.

Your participants will need to use this EXACT code to enter into your new Backchannel.

It is highly recommended that everyone use their real first and last names when entering the chat.

If they can't access the chat it is most likely due to them entering an incorrect code.

1. This is the name you picked for this Backchannel.

2. What the conversation flow looks like. You can see the student and teacher/presenter comments.

3. At the bottom of the screen is where someone would enter their messages.

Comments

Who is emailing me? The Blue Man Group??? (Add an image to your Google account.)

WHY It is always nice to put a face with a name. Sometimes we need a tiny little reminder of what someone looks like because we don't see them very often. Follow these steps to add/change the image associated with your Google account. HOW Open your email. Click your image. It might just be a blue circle if you have not added something already. Click Change . Find an image you like. Your amazing new image will appear. From now on everyone can put a name to a face!

Embed an audio clip into a Google Form!

Are you looking to embed an audio clip into a Google Form? Below you will find a list of things you will need ready and a video to walk you through the process. Needed: A single PowerPoint slide. Movie Maker. (Already on your computer.) A Google Form. Watch this video for the steps to follow.

Setting Your Gmail Away Message

You will be away from your classroom for a bit and probably won't be checking email on a regular basis. Wouldn't it be nice to have Gmail respond for you alerting whoever is emailing that you out enjoying your summer? Setting up your vacation responder is pretty simple, a few clicks and a save. Start by clicking the gear icon in the upper right corner of Gmail. Scroll way down the page. Look for the vacation responder section. 1. Click to turn the responder on. 2. Add your first and last days away. We would recommend adding something short and to the point for the subject line. 3. Whatever you add here will be the body of the email you are automatically sending out. It would be a good idea to tell them when you are planning on returning and who to call if they need immediate assistance. We also recommend not checking the two buttons at the bottom. 4. Save changes . That is it. Now your inbox will automatically alert people that you are not in your...

Learning in the Lou

Search This Blog