Your Blackboard course site has a Discussion Board which all of your students have access to.
However, despite the popularity of online education, vast groups of people consciously stay away from such methods, mostly due to misconception.
The students can easily set their own pace of learning as long as they have the right equipment and access to a proper internet connection.
Your preferred styles guide the way you learn.
Not to mention, students will incur transportation expenses.
It provides a platform for communication and interaction with others.