Introduction
Packback is an AI-powered discussion platform that promotes critical thinking, curiosity, and student engagement in online and hybrid courses. As part of our college-wide initiative to enhance academic discourse, Packback will be implemented across departments to support more meaningful, inquiry-driven learning.
This guide will help you, as a faculty member, get started with Packback—covering how to activate your community, introduce the platform to students, and use its tools to encourage deeper, more student-driven discussions. You’ll also find tips for moderating with intention, using Packback’s feedback features, and aligning discussions with your course objectives. Whether you’re teaching in-person, online, or hybrid, this resource is designed to support you in making the most of Packback’s capabilities in your classroom.
Contents
Setting up Packback in your Course
Packback Questions/Packback Digital TA
Packback Deep Dives: Digital Writing Tutor, Digital Research Assistant, Digital Grading Assistant
Packback Writing & Originality
Additional Resources on Packback
Setting up Packback in your Course
Guide How to Add Packback to a Course, Instructor Features Guide, Best Practices for Using Packpack as an Instructor
More detailed instructions coming soon!
Packback Questions / Packback Digital TA
Packback Questions is a discussion platform where students ask and answer open-ended questions.
Encourages curiosity-driven dialogue
AI moderates posts for quality and originality
Digital TA provides real-time feedback on students' posts, helping them improve writing and critical thinking before submission.
Guides: Introduction to Packpack Questions for Instructors, Course Agnostic Set Assignment Instructions Templates for Instructors
Packback Deep Dives: Digital Writing Tutor, Digital Research Assistant, Digital Grading Assistant
Digital Writing Tutor: Gives students formative feedback on grammar, structure, and clarity while writing essays.
Digital Research Assistant: Guides students in sourcing credible information and citing it correctly.
Digital Grading Assistant: Helps instructors grade essays with rubrics, AI-generated suggestions, and customizable feedback.
Guides: Setting Up and Managing Your Deep Dives Assignments
Packback Writing Lab
The Writing Lab is a structured environment for drafting and revising essays.
AI offers live coaching on structure, tone, and clarity
Students progress through writing checkpoints
Supports peer and instructor feedback
Packback Discussions
A more traditional discussion board format, enhanced by AI:
AI curates top posts, provides feedback, and ensures academic integrity
Instructors can customize prompts and moderate posts
Helps build a culture of curiosity and critical thinking
Packback Writing & Originality
Packback uses AI to ensure writing is both original and high-quality:
Checks for plagiarism and paraphrasing issues
Encourages proper citation and sourcing
Promotes authentic voice and academic integrity
Guides: Setting Up an Originality Review Assignment, What is an Originality Review?
Packback Trainings
Coming soon!
Additional Resources on Packback
Frequently Asked Questions about Packback
Packback Resources and Support (Titan Hub Group)
Have Questions? Contact the Academic Technology Support Team
atst@spcollege.edu
Phone at 727-341-3500
(Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. EST).
After-hours or weekend assistance? Contact the Technical Support Center at 727-791-2795 or onlinehelp@spcollege.edu
Want to Schedule a One-on-One or Group Session on Canvas or other instructional technology issues or opportunities?
Schedule 1:1 Support Help with a Member of the Academic Technology Support Team
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