Blogs as a learning tool??
I have been part of a network of bloggers in the past who shared an interest in the form of a hobby. The network provided access to learning and sharing of information that would have been impossible without the medium of blogs. The immediacy of the technology, as well as the ability for a site to be very personal or very public has many benefits. In a classroom, I can envisage blogs being useful in a large number of different contexts: as a tool for expression, or as a medium through which students can be motivated to develop exploration of their own computer skills- the way that the page is "owned" by them could be used as a powerful intrinsic motivator. Group blogs could be established, and the inclusion of individuals (either students or experts who would be otherwise inaccessible) who could contribute remotely- offering up all sorts of exciting ideas. The danger lies in the misuse of blogs as technological versions of "shut up sheets" - for the sake of it, and to keep either the early finishers busy, or the students who are struggling looking busy! again it comes back to the professional judgment of "Is this the best way to teach this learner this content?" - if so BLOG away!