Using Packback to Ignite Discussion at the University of Nevada-Reno
Professor Brett Simmons shares how Packback helped him move beyond flat online discussions and foster richer, research-backed dialogue in his management courses. In this short video, he reflects on the impact it had on student engagement, curiosity, and the way he teaches across class formats and sizes.
“The discussion is much richer. I read the student responses, and I learn more in these Packback discussions because they have done their research and brought in sources. It exceeded my expectations.”
Brett Simmons
Business Professor, University of Nevada-Reno
Bretts’s Key Observations
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Class discussions became deeper and more research-driven as students asked original questions and backed their ideas with credible sources.
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The quality of student responses changed how he thinks about online and in-person discussions, regardless of class size.
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Simmons raised the curiosity score requirement and saw students rise to the challenge, often outperforming his own scores and going above and beyond what was expected
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As department chair, Simmons actively recommends Packback to his faculty because of the measurable impact he has seen.
