A back channeling tool would work great for my classroom discussions especially for those students who doesn't feel comfortable speaking and sharing during or in class. I would use this tool with my 3rd - 5th grade students twice a week as part of our lessons where specific questions will be posed for them to respond to and watching a video or presentations made by the students in which each student will respond to the prompts and videos.
In my classroom, we would try Twitter as a beginner during the beginning of the year being that students are very familiar with this social network and this would be done with my 4th and 5th grade students. I would only allow my students to use it for classroom assignments and purposes. My students would respond to a prompt given in class so that each student participates. We would also use Twitter for homework assignments where we respond to particular videos provided.
Most of our back channeling will be done in class as incorporation of technology with most of our subjects or subject that I may teach if the school allows us access to this site. If we're not able to use Twitter then my first option would be to use edmodo.com, Chatzy.com or other private chat rooms to incorporate into the lessons and classroom to better the students' learning as well as making the class enjoyable!
I think this would be a great tool to use in the classroom. As you mention, students are more familiar with social networks than in the past. I think students would enjoy this because some students are more comfortable reponding this way than in front of their peers. I also think teachers will get a better understanding of the students who are shy or don't want to come off as knowing it all.
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