The discussions are easy to use and the curiosity score helps to ensure an appropriate level of thoughtfulness and effort in the each student's engagement with content. The ability to set up rubrics, prompts, and other criteria make it easy to grade the Deep Dives and enhance the quality of student's work. I am just exploring the Polls, but am excited to use that feature more in classroom discussions.

The help with writing that it offers students and the immediate feedback. Also, the ability to upload links and GIFS/videos. As an instructor, it's easier for me to read through responses than Canvas' discussion forums.

The format encourages students to explore a topic within the class that they find interesting, which they find really motivating and engaging. I was surprised at how much students got engaged with the assignments when they started writing about something they were really interested in exploring. Packback also gives students feedback on reference and citation use, and ensures that AI generated content is limited in their assignment submissions. All of this is managed by giving students direct feedback and the ability to improve their work iteratively. Some students have even noted that this is a great jumping off point to help get them started on research ideas. And importantly, packback can provide this type of learning support in very large online classes, where instructor time, resources, and support would not make this level of feedback possible otherwise. An excellent critical thinking based assignment for large classes! Also, the platform is very easy to link to a course Canvas page, which is easily done with support from their great customer service.