Have You Tried Backchanneling in Your Classroom? Why Not Try These 33 Web Sites and Videos!

Backchanneling: using networked computers to maintain real-time online conversation alongside live spoken remarks- Wikipedia

Several of the junior high school language arts teachers in my building have been using Edmodo with great success. It's great to see seventh graders excited about sharing ideas and communicating online. It doesn't hurt, of course, that Edmodo reminds the kids of Facebook.

5 Ways to Use Twitter to Avoid a Backchannel Disaster- from Mashable.com


7 Things You Should Know About Backchannel Communication

9 Tips for Enriching Your Presentations with Social Media- from Mashable.com


10 Observations About Backchanneling- written by David Warlick, an educator with the popular blog, 2 Cents Worth.

10 Reasons to Try Backchannel Chat

Back Noise - works with web browsers and iPhone, iPod and iPad


Backchanneling Explained- this video explains what takes place in a classroom using backchanneling:

Backchannel in Education-Nine Uses- written by Dr. Derek Bruff, who has an interest in teaching with clickers (his blog is all about this)


Backchannel Discussion- LiveBinder


Backchanneling in Grade 1- first grade teacher's blog post includes the video below:


Backchanneling in Middle School Social Studies

Backchanneling with Elementary School Students- written by educator Silvia Tolisano, whose Langwitches blog very popular


BackNoise- create conversations on the fly


Cacoo- collaborate on online diagrams

Chatzy-have your own private chat room simply by inviting people and giving them the URL

Donut Chat- filter words, manage many rooms and embed in your web site

Edmodo- classes can have their own micro blogging network; students can communicate in real time, teachers can post assignments, questions for discussion

Google Wave-invite people into a conversation, post any links you might have, see text in real time and use many gadgets Google has.


HootCourse-  take your class conversation online


Installing a Backchannel in My Classroom This Week- from Cool Cat Teacher Vicki Davis


Joint- group chat for Twitter (my school blocks Twitter, so this one is out for us..)


Kicking it Up a Notch: Back-channels in the Classroom- from K12 Online Conference


MeetingWords- real time collaborative text collaboration

MicroMobs- "name your mob" and "create your mob"; easily create your group discussion and share info, images, links etc.

Neat Chat- very easy site to use; simply enter the nickname and click "start group"; then email URL to people you want to invite.


Notaland- online collaboration

PinDax- take notes, upload images and chat in real-time; click here to see demo

Present.ly- allows you to create a private micro-blogging network if you have the same email domain; collaborate in real time


Scribblar- Multi-user whiteboard, live audio,image collaboration, text-chat and more:

Skrbl- interactive whiteboard allows you to chat, draw, write text in one spot


Today's Meet- create your room and collaborate in real time


Twiddla- online meetings; some accounts $$, one is free with limitations

Using Backchannels in the classroom

View more presentations from Richard Byrne

What is the Backchannel? 

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32 Resource Links on Cyberbullying

The Internet has created a new place where bullies can go and anonymously taunt others. With last year's suicide of Rutgers freshman Tyler Clementi, (and many others) it has become more apparent that we need to help our students be more cyber smart and learn about why bullying is something to be taken seriously. It is never too early to educate our kids about the dangers of cyberspace. Here are 32 places you can use:


Chat Rooms
Chat Danger- information on how to stay safe when you use chat rooms, IM and cell phones

*Video About Online Chatting

Cyber Bullying
Cyber bullying- this site is part of the TeensHealth web site, with information on cyber bullying, why people bully and what happens when someone is bullied.

Reporting Cyber Bullies- information on what to do if you are bullied

*Video on Cyberbullying- from SchoolTube  

What is Cyber Bullying?- handout

General Internet Safety Sites
CyberAngels- world's oldest & largest Internet safety organization

Cyber Safety- this site is hosted by Rob Nickel, who is an expert on cyber safety. In addition to a listing of tips for teens, parents and educators, there are videos you can download. (PSAs, interviews)

CyberSmart!-how to deal with cyber bullies, a list of proper manners while online, and social networking sites.

Don't Believe the Type: Know the Dangers- rules are listed for surfing the web, chat rooms, IM, email, newsgroups, forums, bulletin boards, social networking and sharing personal information.

Google Family Safety Center- tools, advice, vide tips from Google parents

Internet Safety 101 Quiz- how much do you know about Internet safety?

Internet Safety: Keeping it Real-designed by six students under the age of 16, this website won second place in Thinkquest's 2007 Competition. Excellent!

Internet Safety and You- for younger kids; Professor Garfield does the teaching; links for parents and teachers

LMK Life Online- sponsored by the Girl Scouts and Microsoft; education for young girls

iSafeSurf- sections on social safety, netiquette, acronyms, emoticons, peer-to-peer file sharing
NetSmartz Teens- they have a section of videos, downloadable activity cards and free multimedia presentations for Windows and Mac computers.

OnGuard Online: Social Networking Sites-with links and quick facts, this site has a game called "Friend Finder", which tests your knowledge about safely using online social networking sites.

Own Your Space- eBook is 16 chapters and free to download; excellent information about protecting your stuff and yourself online

SafeTeens.com- learn about chat room safety, teen safety on the Internet, cell phone safety tips and more.

Safety Tips for Tweens and Teens- this is a government site, with information on staying safe while you are online, including: trusting your instinct, only divulging information you are comfortable with, a reminder that once something is posted it is always there.

Webonauts Internet Academy- for elementary school kids; interactive learning about being safe online; when missions are completed, the Webonauts graduate with a certificate.

Wired Safety- this site claims to be the "world's largest Internet safety, help and education resource." Sections include cyber crime, cyber stalking, Internet predators, social networking and privacy and security.

X-Block- you'll find chat rooms, learn about cyber safety and their iMentoring program.

Netiquette

Net Manners- proper behavior tips

A Thin Line- fact sheets cover spying online, sexting and when kids use text messaging too much.

Tips for Proper Online Behavior- from the Boston Public Library

Privacy Online
Children's Online Privacy Protection- known as COPPA, this explains how children are protected

Safety Tips for Teens- learn what you should and shouldn't reveal about yourself online

Secure Passwords Explained by Common Craft- video

Secure Websites in Plain English- video from Common Craft

*Video About Privacy

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