Backchannel is the use of networked
computer
A computer is a machine that can be Computer programming, programmed to automatically Execution (computing), carry out sequences of arithmetic or logical operations (''computation''). Modern digital electronic computers can perform generic set ...
s to maintain a real-time online conversation alongside the primary group activity or live spoken remarks. The term was coined from
the linguistics term to describe listeners' behaviours during verbal communication.
The term "backchannel" generally refers to online conversation about the conference topic or speaker. Occasionally backchannel provides audience members a chance to
fact-check the presentation.
First growing in popularity at technology conferences, backchannel is increasingly a factor in education where
WiFi
Wi-Fi () is a family of wireless network protocols based on the IEEE 802.11 family of standards, which are commonly used for Wireless LAN, local area networking of devices and Internet access, allowing nearby digital devices to exchange data by ...
connections and
laptop
A laptop computer or notebook computer, also known as a laptop or notebook, is a small, portable personal computer (PC). Laptops typically have a Clamshell design, clamshell form factor (design), form factor with a flat-panel computer scree ...
computers allow participants to use ordinary chat like
IRC
IRC (Internet Relay Chat) is a text-based chat system for instant messaging. IRC is designed for group communication in discussion forums, called '' channels'', but also allows one-on-one communication via private messages as well as chat ...
or
AIM to actively communicate during presentation. More recent research include works where the backchannel is brought publicly visible, such as the ClassCommons, backchan.nl and Fragmented Social Mirror.
Twitter is also widely used today by audiences to create backchannels during broadcasting of content or at conferences. For example, television drama, other forms of entertainment and magazine programs. This practice is often also called
live tweeting. Many conferences nowadays also have a hashtag that can be used by the participants to share notes and experiences; furthermore such hashtags can be user generated.
History
Victor Yngve first used the phrase "
back channel" in 1970 in a linguistic meaning, in the following passage: "In fact, both the person who has the turn and his partner are simultaneously engaged in both speaking and listening. This is because of the existence of what I call the back channel, over which the person who has the turn receives short messages such as 'yes' and 'uh-huh' without relinquishing the turn."
Such systems were widely imagined and tested in late 1990s and early 2000s. These cases include researcher's installations on conferences and classroom settings. The first famous instance of backchannel communications influencing a talk occurred on March 26, 2002, at the
PC Forum conference, when
Qwest CEO
Joe Nacchio famously lamented the difficulties of raising capital. Journalists
Dan Gillmor and
Doc Searls posted accounts, from the audience, in real-time, to their
weblogs. Buzz Bruggeman, a reader of Gillmor's, emailed information about a recent sizable transaction that had made Nacchio very wealthy; both Gillmor and Searls updated their weblogs with that information.
Forum host
Esther Dyson
Esther Dyson (born 14 July 1951) is a Swiss-born American investor, journalist, author, commentator and philanthropist. She is the executive founder of Wellville, a nonprofit project focused on improving equitable wellbeing. Dyson is also an ang ...
wrote that "around that point, the audience turned hostile". Many commentators later attributed the audience's hostility to the information people shared while surfing and communicating on their laptops during Nacchio's remarks.
Effect
Research has demonstrated that backchannels help participants to feel as contributing members, not passive followers and make them feel more social. However, the research is mixed on the nature of this discussions, and especially regarding social interaction on the backchannels: some cases report vast interaction where as others highlight that interaction on the platform was considered low. There are indicators that these tools however engage different members of the audience to provide their input.
[Nelimarkka, Matti, Kai Kuikkaniemi, and Giulio Jacucci. 2014. "A Field Trial of an Anonymous Backchannel Among Primary School Pupils." In Proceedings of the 18th International Conference on Supporting Group Work - GROUP ’14, 238–242. New York, New York, USA: ACM Press. ]
Use in education
Since its inception in 1998 at
Argonne National Laboratory
Argonne National Laboratory is a Federally funded research and development centers, federally funded research and development center in Lemont, Illinois, Lemont, Illinois, United States. Founded in 1946, the laboratory is owned by the United Sta ...
, the
Internet2
Internet2 is a not-for-profit United States computer network
A computer network is a collection of communicating computers and other devices, such as printers and smart phones. In order to communicate, the computers and devices must ...
initiative known as the
Access Grid (a large-format presentation,
video conferencing
Videotelephony (also known as videoconferencing or video calling) is the use of audio signal, audio and video for simultaneous two-way communication. Today, videotelephony is widespread. There are many terms to refer to videotelephony. ''Vide ...
and interactive environment) has used backchannel communications to permit the node operators to pass URLs for display at another site, troubleshoot problems and even discuss what's for lunch at their location. The
Access Grid backchannel has evolved from the use of a
MOO
A MOO ("Multi-user dungeon, MUD, object-oriented") is a text-based online virtual reality system to which multiple users (players) are connected at the same time.
The term MOO is used in two distinct, but related, senses. One is to refer to th ...
to
XMPP
Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (abbreviation XMPP, originally named Jabber) is an Open standard, open communication protocol designed for instant messaging (IM), presence information, and contact list maintenance. Based on XML (Ext ...
.
In 2009 Purdue University developed a tool called Hotseat that enabled students to comment on the course lectures in near real-time using social networking tools such as Facebook and Twitter.
Using a backchannel for educational purposes can function as a formal class activity or even an independent discussion without instructor participation and awareness. Aside from the normal discussion, a backchannel can also be used for note taking, asking questions, offering suggestions on different topics, and sharing resources with other students and faculty members. There are many different media networks out there that can be used as a backchannel. Including Twitter, Facebook, Yammer and Instant Messaging.
Experiments
Joichi Ito's
HeckleBot includes an LED text panel displaying phrases sent from the chat room to catch the attention of the speaker or audience. The
USC Interactive Media Division has experimented with "Google Jockeys" to feed visual information and search results between the speakers and the backchannel, projected on multiple screens surrounding their seminars. Software like
SubEthaEdit
SubEthaEdit is a collaborative real-time editor designed for Mac OS X. The name comes from the Sub-Etha communication network in ''The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy'' series.
History
SubEthaEdit was first released under the name Hydra in earl ...
allows for more formal backchannel: collaborative notetaking. In 2007 the Building Learning Communities Conference in Boston, Massachusetts used tools such as
Twitter
Twitter, officially known as X since 2023, is an American microblogging and social networking service. It is one of the world's largest social media platforms and one of the most-visited websites. Users can share short text messages, image ...
and
Skype
Skype () was a proprietary telecommunications application operated by Skype Technologies, a division of Microsoft, best known for IP-based videotelephony, videoconferencing and voice calls. It also had instant messaging, file transfer, ...
to create backchannels that included participants who were not on location and at times in remote parts of the world. At times presenters were not aware of the backchannel and other occasions the presenters themselves were involved in the backchannel.
References
Further reading
* Cliff Atkinson. The Backchannel: How Audiences are Using Twitter and Social Media and Changing Presentations Forever, New Riders, 2009.
External links
The companion website to ''The Backchannel'' book by Cliff AtkinsonLearning From (and About) the BackchannelBackchannel ModesConfessions of a Backchannel Queen-
Liz Lawley's backchannel manifesto
Bridging Diverse Groups-
danah boyd's backchannel considerations
Audience Gone WildBackChannels in The Netherlands, EuropeInviting Coworkers: Linking Scholars of Atlantic Canada on the Twitter Backchannel by Katherine O'Flaherty and Robert Gee, Acadiensis, vol. 41 no 2 (Summer/Fall 2012)What Is a BackChannel?
{{microblogging
Instant messaging
Microblogging