A backchannel is a separate conversation that takes place digitally at the same time as a class, or sometimes outside of class. You might consider using a backchannel to give students an additional means of participating in the class discussion. Read Dr. Monica Burns' article on the benefits of classroom backchannels.
Have you ever tried using a poll in your classroom? Getting a digital "show of hands" is a quick way of checking comprehension or finding out what topics your students are most interested in.
Meanwhile, surveys like Doodle can help with scheduling meetings outside of class.
