Answer : What role or purpose do discussion forums serve in the online classroom and are they effective? How do discussion forums function as a teaching tool? How could they be used effectively and ineffectively? What are some best practices for facilitating forums online? As with a traditional classroom, online discussions are an essential part of learning because they foster collaboration and critical thinking, which are essential to students synthesizing information and deepening their understanding. They also function as formative assessments of students' learning that help teachers inform instructional decisions and practice. Online discussion forums are effective for these purposes if effectively implemented and used. In order for a discussion forum to be effective, the instructor must establish criteria for content, participation, and interaction, as well as stylistic/formatting conventions for the posts themselves. These must be clearly communicated and reinforced throug...