This document discusses using social media and backchannels in the classroom. It defines social media as web-based platforms that are available to everyone, editable, and enable discussion. It introduces the concepts of frontchannels (formal class discussions) and backchannels (informal discussions using tools like Twitter). It then explains how backchannels can be used to engage students, deepen learning, encourage collaboration, and build community by allowing interaction, feedback, and extended discussion outside of class. Finally, it demonstrates how to use Hotseat, a backchannel tool, and provides tips for managing backchannels in the classroom.