• home
  • store

ASCD Logo

  • ASCD.org
  • Store
  • Blog
  • Empower20
  • Navigate Applications
    • ASCD Activate
    • myTeachSource
    • PD In Focus
    • PD Online
    • Streaming Video
  • Help

    ASCD Customer Service

    Phone
    Monday through Friday
    8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

    1-800-933-ASCD (2723)

    Address
    1703 North Beauregard St.
    Alexandria, VA 22311-1714

    Complete Customer Service Details

  • Log In
ASCD Header Logo
Click to Search
  • Topics
    • Assessment and Grading
    • Classroom Management
    • Differentiated Instruction
    • Poverty
    • School Culture and Climate
    • STEM
    • Teacher Leadership
    • Understanding by Design
    • Browse All Topics
  • Books & Publications
    • Browse Books
    • New Books
    • Member Books
    • ASCD Arias
    • Quick Reference Guides
    • Education Update
    • ASCD Express
    • Newsletters
    • Meet the Authors
    • Write for ASCD
    • ASCD Books in Translation
  • Educational Leadership
    • Current Issue
    • Browse EL Archives
    • Digital EL
    • EL Magazine App
    • Subscribe
    • Upcoming Themes
    • Write for EL
    • Tell Us About
    • Contact EL
  • Membership
    • Benefits
    • Team Memberships
    • Member-Only Webinars
    • Communities
  • Events
    • Empower20
    • Conference on Teaching Excellence
    • Conference on Educational Leadership
    • Institutes
    • Leadership Institute for Legislative Advocacy
    • Leader to Leader Conference
    • Exhibit with Us
  • Professional Learning
    • Webinars
    • ASCD Activate
    • PD Online
    • PD In Focus
    • ASCD myTeachSource
    • Consulting Services
    • Success Stories
    • Videos
    • White Papers
    • Emerging Leaders
  • About
    • Whole Child
    • Partnerships
    • Government Relations
    • Careers at ASCD
    • ASCD Job Ramp
    • Advertise
    • Sponsorship
    • Request an ASCD Speaker
    • News & Media
    • Annual Report
    • Governance
  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • Archives
  • Buy
  • Contact
  • Write for EU
Buy this issue
 Share |
You must be an ASCD member or subscriber to view this content.

To view this article,
  • Log in.
  • Become an ASCD member.
  • Read Abstract

May 2015 | Volume 72 | Number 8
Teaching with Mobile Tech Pages 54-58

Issue Table of Contents | Read Article Abstract

Digital Backchannels: Giving Every Student a Voice

Jeffrey P. Carpenter

Technology can open up classroom discussions, sparking new levels of student participation and engagement.

Early in my teaching career, I felt that whole-class conversations in my high school courses were fairly effective. A few extroverted or extra-motivated students could be counted on to contribute, and discussions would pass by pleasantly enough. A decent quantity and quality of ideas were shared, and awkward silences were rare.

Eventually, though, I began to realize that only a small percentage of my students were actively participating. A handful of individuals kept the discussions moving, allowing the majority to disengage. As long as the non-contributors did not visibly misbehave, a détente was established. Fortunately, teachers and students today have access to mobile technologies that can disrupt such patterns of limited student participation.

Opening a New Channel

 

Continue reading this article
with an ASCD membership.

Join the education organization for all educators.

Get full access, plus expert resources and solutions
to support whole child education.

LEARN MORE
Already a member? LOG IN

Copyright © 2015 by ASCD

Requesting Permission

  • For photocopy, electronic and online access, and republication requests, go to the Copyright Clearance Center. Enter the periodical title within the "Get Permission" search field.
  • To translate this article, contact permissions@ascd.org

Subscribe to
Educational Leadership
magazine and save up to
51% OFF the cover price.

Subscribe

More EL Resources

  • Contact EL
  • Reader's Guide
  • Buy EL
  • Advertise with EL
  • Renew your subscription

Tweets by ELmagazine

  • ASCD on Facebook (External Link)
  • ASCD on Twitter (External Link)
  • ASCD on Pinterest (External Link)
  • ASCD on Instagram (External Link)
  • ASCD on LinkedIn (External Link)
  • ASCD on Youtube (External Link)

About ASCD

  • Contact Us / Help
  • Permissions
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise
  • Sponsorship
  • Careers at ASCD
  • ASCD Job Ramp

Get Involved

  • Membership
  • Educator Advocates
  • Affiliates
  • Connected Communities
  • Student Chapters
  • Professional Interest Communities
  • InService Blog

Online Learning

  • ASCD Activate
  • PD Online Courses
  • PD In Focus
  • myTeachSource
  • Webinars
  • ASCD Streaming Video
ASCD Logo

1703 North Beauregard St.
Alexandria, VA 22311-1714

MISSION: ASCD empowers educators to achieve excellence in learning, teaching, and leading so that every child is healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged.

© 2019 ASCD. All Rights Reserved.