Pros and Cons of Discussion Boards

Some of the pros in regards to discussion boards are: They create a sense of community between the members of a thread, for people who have easy access to computers it serves as a convenient form of communication and it provides people who aren't comfortable expressing themselves face to face with the opportunity to do just that.
Some of the cons are: Not everyone has access to computers at all times and if being used as a classroom tool, it is easy for the discussion to get off topic.

5 ways that discussion boards could enhance the classroom are:
1) They extend the learning atmosphere of the classroom so that it reaches beyond the school.
2) Provides the shyer students with an opportunity to express themselves.
3) Repeated use of discussion boards will help students develop a sense of technological independence.
4) Useful links may be shared via the discussion threads.
5) If regularly checked, feedback to questions or concerns may be very quick.