If educators want to meet students where they are, social media is key.  This can be a way to deliver a message and receive a quick response. However, use of social media in the classroom is controversial. There can be consequences to prolific use of social media contact between teacher and students. To effectively utilize social media sites, instructors should establish ground rules on digital citizenship, appropriate posts and criteria for communication.

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Another considerations is technology changes quickly. Platforms and aps must be updated regularly to maintain all the correct plugins and safety functions.

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Today, more popular social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are used by millions of students and adults. Messages can be received instantaneous. It could be beneficial to send out a tweet that assignments are due, post events or documents to Facebook and upload pictures to support content to Instagram. If instructors set up private "classroom" accounts and controlled the privacy so that only students who should have access could enter, it would assist with internet safety.

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Consequently, too many cases are being brought against instructors who engage in inappropriate behavior with students with relationships that start on social media. Instructors must be cognizant of the legal and moral ramifications and be diligent about maintaining professionalism on these sites.

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Social media is not going away. As educators we must embrace this form of communication and develop models for successful interaction with students.