Error in solution
Yes, I definitely agree that it would be a good idea to let them easily give us feedback or ask questions with discussion tabs. (However, I also think that we should continue to have the ability to have discussion only among contributors that the students cannot see. Would it be possible to have both kinds of discussion?)
Not on the wiki. We could have the discussions on the MER pages but it's hard to see how to do this nicely.
The other question that it raises, is why wouldn't we want them to be able to see and participate to those discussions? I have a hard time thinking about topics that contributors would discuss that students shouldn't see.
Actually, I can't think of a topic in particular that shouldn't be public either. As long as we all stay professional and respectful, then perhaps there is no need for private discussion. (Although, maybe some would be less likely to participate in the discussion if it is public...) On that note...is this thread public?