The blog (WeB LOG = BLOG) was first recognized in 1997. It has become an icon of the simple, interactive, engaging technology that we call Web 2.0. It has also become the cornerstone of many classes and workshops.

The Web never sleeps (nor do our students!). Blogs enable the students to have updates delivered to their desktops via RSS. And blogs enable comments to be posted – opening an asynchronous online conversation. Most blogging software and much of the Web hosting – such as http://blogger.com/ from Google – is free.

Blogs provide a means for administrators, teachers, and students to read, reflect, write, and comment on their own, and others’ writings. In its simplest form, blogging is about reading and writing. Blogging is about communication!

1. Use blogs to increase student motivation
2. Use blogs to increase reading and writing skills – journals
3. Use blogs as an interactive collaborative tool
4. Use blogs to help build social networks – blogosheres

Read a paper I wrote on Weaving Blogs into a Constructivist Classroom

I am so excited that Anne and Helen have left a comment on my welcome post.
It is an interesting process when a comment is left. I have total control of all comments.

• An email was sent to me with a links to:
  • accept the comment
  • delete the comment
  • mark the comment as span

I, of course, accepted them.
If you are thinking of using blogs in your course, know that you can review comments before they are posted as can your students if they have blogs.