One Reply to “Best user-friendly digital backchannel?”

1. When considering a digital backchannel for your AP Science summit, it’s essential to select a platform that facilitates engagement, is user-friendly, and offers features that suit your audience. Here are some highly recommended options along with practical advice on their usability, advantages, and potential drawbacks.

   Recommended Platforms

   1. Padlet
   2. Usability: Padlet is highly visual and allows users to create a collaborative board where they can post ideas, questions, and resources. It’s user-friendly, requiring no technical skills to get started.
   3. Advantages: Its drag-and-drop interface is intuitive, and you can customize backgrounds and layouts to make it more engaging. It allows for real-time interaction, which is excellent for large groups.

   4. Considerations: The free version has a limit on the number of boards, which may be restrictive if you plan to use it extensively.

   5. Slido

   6. Usability: Slido integrates seamlessly with major presentation software like PowerPoint and Google Slides, making it easy for participants to engage without needing to switch platforms.
   7. Advantages: It’s particularly useful for Q&A sessions and polling, which can help participants feel more involved. It also includes features for anonymous questions, which can be beneficial for shy attendees.

   8. Considerations: While Slido offers great functionality, some features may require a paid plan depending on your needs, especially for larger groups.

   9. Miro

   10. Usability: This online collaborative whiteboard tool is great for visual brainstorming. It allows users to create mind maps, share documents, and collaborate in real time, which can be very dynamic in a session setting.
   11. Advantages: It’s highly customizable and allows for various types of content (text, images, etc.). You can set up structured templates tailored to specific discussions.

   12. Considerations: Given its extensive features, it may have a learning curve for some users, so consider providing a quick tutorial at the start.

   13. Twitter (with a specific hashtag)

   14. Usability: Using a dedicated hashtag for the summit allows attendees to share thoughts and ask questions in real time. This is especially effective if participants are already familiar with Twitter.
   15. Advantages: It can encourage a broader audience to engage, as attendees can follow the conversation even after the event.
   16. Considerations: The challenge here is moderating the conversation to keep it on topic and manageable, so establishing clear guidelines is essential.

   Platforms to Avoid

   • Facebook Groups: While they are familiar to many, the structure can lead to disorganized posts and difficulty in tracking questions or ideas.
   • Google Docs: Although it allows for collaboration, it might not be the most user-friendly for large groups where monitoring and facilitation are crucial.

   Additional Tips

   • Facilitation: Regardless of your platform choice, appoint a dedicated facilitator to monitor the backchannel. This person can highlight key points, answer questions, and steer conversations in a meaningful direction.

   • Prepare Users: Provide a brief guide or walkthrough on how to use the chosen backchannel, either prior to the event or at its start, to ensure everyone feels comfortable participating.

   • Feedback Loop: After the summit, consider circulating a feedback form to gather insights on what worked well and what could improve for future events.

   By thoughtfully selecting the right digital backchannel and preparing your audience, you can create an engaging and interactive environment that enhances the overall experience of your AP Science summit. Good luck with your planning!

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