Backchannel in Large Learner Cohorts - Does Anonymity Matter? A Comparative Study.

Promoting learner engagement in large cohorts is a well-documented problem. One solution adopted in the lecture space is ‘backchannel’ software, which provides an online chat facility that operates alongside the delivery of teaching and learning activities. While this provides some protection from the collective gaze of a class, backchannels will often display information about a message author, which may discourage them from participating in the backchannel. Accordingly, this paper presents the findings of a preliminary investigation into the impact of anonymity on backchannel engagement. Subsequently, this found that preserving anonymity is an important feature for many learners and its absence can result in a significant reduction in engagement with a backchannel.