You can read comments fairly quickly and validate them to show students you're invested in their ideas.
You can refer to points made on the forums in class to enrich discussion and to acknowledge thoughtful ideas.
You can save a thread of a discussion to use as a writing sample or model.
Discussion forums give quiet participant another outlet for sharing ideas.
Students learn to value revision when they receive comments on their writing from their peers.
That in itself is a very good reason to register, but here are 5 other excellent reasons to...