The presented study considers the current problem of the pedagogical process of higher education institution – knowledge transfer and exchange in the form of knowledge-based communications in the teaching / learning process of higher school based on ICT tools. It is highlighted that information tools for providing the learning process should be structured according to the importance of synchronous and asynchronous tools, where synchronous tools should be given a secondary role. The feedback they provide is an important contribution to the task related to the evaluation of the pedagogical influence on the audience in traditional or online modes. The importance of such subordination is typical both of lectures, seminars, laboratory and practical classes. Among the characterised modern information tools of the organisation of e-learning in institutions of higher education, discussion forums are singled out. Initially, discussion forums were used as a form of online entertainment. With the development of the Internet industry, their main purpose is shifted to the area of the tasks dealing with building relationships with customers (participants of the learning process, i.e. students). It`s worth emphasising that discussion forums have been performed very well in terms of their application in online learning. This allows transferring all possible spontaneous or purposeful discussions that can arise within a real audience in a separate type of time-related and spatially mediated web-based communication. Such a communication will be effectively continued within the framework outlined by the external moderator (i.e. a teacher). Using the peculiarities of discussion forums allows implementing them as an information and learning tool with all the necessary settings in accordance with the information needs of specific users, their groups and moderation levels. Thus, discussion forums are a kind of network-based means of knowledge transfer in the information and learning environment of higher school. Learning discussion forums are a type of information exchange, which is provided by relevant communication means and information instruments. It is their use that enables the organisation of the teaching / learning process for virtual communities and training profession-based communication in the web environment of the information space of higher education institutions.