Pedagogy and Approach
Packback offers a different approach to discussion and writing, backed by research on motivation and learning.
Built on Pedagogy, Powered by AI.
Discover how inquiry, feedback, and mastery learning shape better student outcomes.
A research-based approach to writing, motivation, and learning.
Purpose
Packback places a focus on connecting to the unique purpose that motivates each student. Through an inquiry-based approach, Packback prompts students to ask questions that inspire them about the course material. The process of formulating questions is core to the process of self-motivated learning and metacognition.
Academic models:
Garrison’s Practical Inquiry Model
Bloom’s Taxonomy of Cognition
Autonomy
Students have autonomy within Packback discussion to choose what question to ask based on the course material, and which questions they are excited to answer. Personal autonomy has been shown to be critical to intrinsic motivation, in both learning science and psychology.
Academic models:
Self-Determination Theory
The Community of Inquiry Model
Mastery
Artificial Intelligence (AI) feedback is an answer to Bloom’s 2 Sigma Problem, allowing students to receive instant, personalized feedback while they write allowing them to continue to iterate on their work. Through AI, students get feedback when and where they need it, decoupling feedback from assessment.
Academic models:
Bloom’s 2-Sigma Problem
Mastery Learning
On Packback Discussions, students ask the discussion questions.
The key difference in the Packback model is that students ask the discussion questions, rather than the instructors. Through this model, students don’t just learn through writing replies; they learn by formulating novel questions about course concepts.
Instructor’s View On This Student's Post
“A portion of my first week of lecture includes a discussion on differences between command economies (USSR) and market economies (USA). I can share videos and podcasts with them, but the message is more impactful when it’s echoed by students. Yevehnii’s story would go unheard in a class of 800+ students, but stories like his can be amplified with Packback.” — Jadrian Wooten, PhD., Associate Teaching Professor of Economics, Penn State University
About this post: This highlighted question was submitted by Yevhenii Ostroverkhov, a student in Dr. Jadrian Wooten’s Principles of Economics course at Penn State University. This post (and Yevhenii’s name) is displayed here with permission. This question received 38 responses from other students in the course.
Learn More
How Specific Online Discussion Methodologies Affect Outcomes
Read the guide co-authored by Dr. Marie Cini, Provost Emerita of University of Maryland Global Campus and Packback’s Chief Product Officer, Jessica Tenuta, exploring the differences between common discussion implementation models and how these differences shape course outcomes.
Read the GuideDesigned for today’s AI-driven world. Grounded in pedagogy. Built for student success.
What are education leaders saying about Packback?
“When implementing online discussion, make sure to accompany the work of encouraging motivation, autonomy and inquiry with a medium that helps facilitate those goals. […] Early results from a forthcoming research study indicate that the tool has helped colleges achieve a statistically significant increase in student grades, as well as increases in overall discussion performance.”
“Evidence suggests that behavioral nudging with tools like AI chatbots can motivate students to complete critical tasks that lead to improved retention and completion. Similarly, inquiry-based discussion platforms like Packback have proven effective at cultivating students’ internal curiosity and sparking motivation.
In the words of Charles Goodnight, a biology professor at the University of Vermont, such platforms have shown promise in creating “engaging communities in remote classes—by encouraging students to go beyond lecture and lead the class in directions that interest them the most.”
The New England Board of Higher Education recently partnered with Packback to offer inquiry-driven discussion to member campuses.
“At a time when the need for effective online learning has never been greater, we have a unique and urgent opportunity to bring together academic leaders and technology experts to create more intentional online pedagogy. Packback is uniquely positioned to lead this effort… .”
Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient
Learn More with Our Resources
Moving Beyond Plagiarism and AI Detection: Academic Integrity in 2025
May 27, 2025
[Webinar Recap] How AI-Enhanced Courses Boost Enrollment and Engagement
May 20, 2025
What the White House’s Executive Order on AI Education Means for the Future of AI Literacy in Schools
April 25, 2025Schedule a call to learn more about Packback
Schedule a call to see how the Packback discussion pedagogy, platform, and people work together to create a holistic solution to help instructors bring inquiry-driven learning to their classes. We will be happy to demonstrate the platform and walk through how to implement Packback in a new course.
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