Discussion Forums

Discussion forums can be a great feedback tool, but only when used judiciously and responsibly. 
They can be used to facilitate class "discussions" and offer a venue for students to ask questions and for the teacher to perform informal assessments on how the students are learning. 
These forums can function as a teaching tool by allowing the teacher to ask higher order thinking questions in order to facilitate discussion about a topic. The students can also use this as a collaboration venue for doing group work. 
If discussion forums are used in these ways, it can lead to being an effective means of instruction. If students are allowed to chit-chat without direction, then it can become a waste of time. 
Best practices: 

1. Have a plan. Know what you will discuss and set a specific amount of time for the discussion. 
2. Require all students to participate in some form or fashion. 
3. Restrict inappropriate or off topic comments.