Forums

Forums can be an interesting tool to 'set-up' but once it's up and running it is a relatively easy way to extend the walls of a classroom (The Learning Place).
A successful forum is one that enhances and improves the student's learning outcomes; which needs careful, considerate planning by the teacher.

P:
It enables students to:

• Consider other's opinions, share ideas and reflect on issues over time
• Communicate with experts, authors, scientists and business community members
• Share ideas regardless of distance
• Brainstorm with peers, students and colleagues
• Collaborate on projects or rich tasks
• Have cultural experiences
• Have Social experience
• Communicate easily and in their own time
  (The Learning Place)

M:

• Students must have Internet access to participate
• Heated discussions/arguments may arise
• Bullying could occur when different opinions are voiced
• Set-up can be time-consuming for the operator
• New posts and conversations need to be constantly checked and followed

I:

• What will happen in the classroom when a debate has been discussed over the forum?
• Will students have the skills to 'sort-out' any tension or problems caused by different points of view?

I personally believe that forums would be a successful tool in selective upper-primary classrooms. It would depend on the students within the class, how they learn, operate and behave to whether or not a class forum would be useful and successful.
However, within the right classroom I believe it would be extremely effective andit would enable everyone's opinion to be heard and would also help develop many skills.