Backchanneling and Real-Time Discussion

Tool

Description

Usefulness Rating

(1-5)

Ease-of-Use Rating

TodaysMeet

TodaysMeet is a free tool that allows teachers to instantly create chat rooms. It is possible to name the rooms, set them to expire within a specific time-frame block, and even include a twiter # discussion. Students do not need an account to join a room, and they are only accessible with a link.

4

Chatzy

Chatzy is a free tool to quickly create chat rooms. Features include “Quick Chat,” which allows teachers to invite people to join via email, and “Virtual Rooms,” which are password protected.

3

Google Moderator

In Google Moderator, students can post questions or comments to the moderated discussion. Once comments are posted, students can “vote” for the idea or comment on a post. Comments can then be sorted based on the number of votes they received. Posts can be published anonymously or require login with a Google account.

4

Google Drive

Google Drive allows synchronous and asynchronous editing by multiple users on one document – whether it be a word processing document, a spreadsheet, a presentation, or a drawing. Documents can be published “openly” to the web or require an invitation.

4

ChatWing

Chatwing is a live mobile chat room that can be connected to any web page or app. Teachers can moderate chats, generate transcripts, and embed them on any web site or blog. Students can login with a social media or Google account as well as enter as a guest.

5

Padlet

Formerly Wallwisher, Padlet is a web based collaborative tool that allows teachers to build a multimedia “wall.” These walls can incorporate digital sticky notes with either text, images, video, or links. Students could hold a debate, have a class discussion, or share their questions on a wall.

4