Why Backchannels Should Be Required in Survey Courses

Many students are uncomfortable verbalizing questions during class and especially in larger classes. This presentation will present evidence that a backchannel eliminates gender biases in inquiry in a large-lecture environment and shows that students exposed to a backchannel in introductory courses are more likely to participate verbally in subsequent courses.

Outcomes: Learn why students are uncomfortable asking verbal questions and how female students are systematically less likely to participate verbally * Learn how the availability of a backchannel virtually eliminates gender biases * Learn how the availability of a backchannel promotes more verbal inquiry in subsequent courses