5. Use asynchronous discussion forums to provide avenues for students to discuss issues and get answers to problems they encounter This helps students who prefer to reflect on their responses before making them. Use several different discussions within any one course if necessary, to separate discussions of content issues from organisational or administrative issues, frequently asked questions, small group tasks, or any other specific purpose for which the online discussion is required. This prevents students (and staff) from being distracted from the issue that is the focus of each discussion by responding to spurious questions.