which is also a button on the left but is listed under member functions. the message center is used in the event you would like to contact an individual classmate - it would only be viewed by you & the person with whom you choose to communicate. the message forum, on the other hand, is an open communication for all classmates - a place to raise a question to the class in general, make a comment, share an event, open an idea for discussion or just for sharing whatever. it is viewed by everyone in our class who clicks on the button & i encourage you to check it out 