Backchannel+Chat

Backchannel Chat is an online chat resource developed specifically for teachers.

Resources and links
@http://backchannelchat.com/ - home page @http://backchannelchat.com/Blog - blog

Strengths:

 * Archived chat
 * No Student to Student private messages
 * Teacher can moderate any message in whole-class discussions, ensuring conversation stays focused
 * Upvoting on student messages to help show the teacher what to give attention to
 * Documented number of posts
 * File sharing capabilities
 * Chat sessions can be embedded into websites
 * No personal information required from students
 * Works with Google apps, Edmodo, and Schoology
 * Works on smart phones and tablets
 * Profanity filter and transcripts
 * Embed photos and videos in the chatspace
 * Polling

Weaknesses:

 * $15/year (though that is, admittedly, rather cheap)
 * Internet required

Opportunities:

 * Connecting students that might not otherwise be connected (primarily in online classes)
 * Providing out-of-classroom support for students

**Threats**:

 * Students’ comments could be ignored accidentally if “moderated messages” is turned on

Ideas:

 * Flipped classrooms could have chat sessions in the evening to help with concepts student might struggle with
 * Could be used during movies to discuss elements of the movie without disturbing others
 * Synchronous sessions for online courses