What Is Packback?
Packback is an AI writing tutor and grading assistant that encourages more rigorous student writing by analyzing and scoring student submissions according to predetermined academic models (such as Bloom’s Taxonomy and/or Community of Inquiry Models). Packback also acts as a an instructor’s “digital teaching assistant,” helping instructors to grade for grammatical errors, manage online discussions, and generating critical debate topics.
- Automated and augmented grading.
- Automated grammar and syntax review.
- AI writing coach for student use.
- Discussion posts, rubrics, and smart highlighting.
Scope and Cost
Packback is scoped at the course level and is available for all courses. If you are interested in integrating Packback into your Canvas course, please email cirtlab@unf.edu.
Note that while faculty can create a free account, Packback is a student-pay model and is not subsidized by the university. Instructors can choose from several different Packback models (including Packback Questions or Packback Deep Dives) at varying price points.
Canvas Integration
Packback offeres instant AI-generated feedback and moderation for Canvas assignments and discussions, providing instructors with a range of editing, feedback, grading, and content moderation tools.
Canvas Integrations Include:
- Single sign-on for instructors and students.
- Automatic discussion creation and grading.
- Gradebook sync back using linking of assignments.
- Gradebook sync with the ability to push new grade columns to your LMS course.
Requirements
Packback is an in-browser tool that works best in Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.
Caveats
Packback leverages the power of Artificial Intelligence to help faculty with teaching and grading. Before using this tool, CIRT recommends that faculty review the AI resource pages at the Office of Faculty Excellence.
Support Report
The implementation of a grading system for CIRT support not only facilitates efficient resource allocation but also fosters transparency in our service delivery. By self-grading our support levels as A+, B+, and C+, we provide faculty with a transparent framework that outlines the expected level of assistance they can anticipate when reaching out for help.
A support grade of “B+” represents a strong level of assistance, with our team possessing a solid understanding of the application or integration. While not reaching the pinnacle of expertise, “B+” nevertheless indicates proficiency and competence in addressing a wide range of issues. CIRT’s internal documentation remains robust, and our team is well-equipped to troubleshoot various challenges. Although there may be instances when reaching out to the vendor becomes necessary for more complex issues, causing support delays, especially when we lack administrative access. Users of applications and/or integrations with a “B+” grade can usually expect comprehensive resolutions to their issues when such resolutions are possible.
External Resources
To further empower UNF instructors, we provide direct links to the vendor’s support material, ensuring you have access to official resources and expert guidance. Furthermore, we curate and share external support documentation discovered online that may offer valuable insights or alternative perspectives. Our commitment is to provide you with a holistic support experience, combining our internal expertise with external resources to empower you in navigating the intricacies of this application.
Contact CIRT
For UNF faculty seeking to deepen their understanding of this application, schedule personalized training sessions, or initiate the installation process, we encourage you to reach out to the Center for Instruction and Research Technology at cirtlab@unf.edu (904-620-3927).
