Why should our students blog?

When blogging first became a popular trend, I think there was a lot a of hesitancy, and still is, about allowing our students to make their opinions, statements, and comments public on the web.  Anyone could see them so why would we want to do that?  Now, for some, that mind shift has happened and blogging is an important part of the classrooms where students are making real world contributions.  they are making their opinions heard, and are being taught how to be appropriate digital citizens wiht their interactions and collaborations.
I think the tough piece can be making that first step.  That first step does not always have to be a leap of faith in allowing your students to post to the world.  You can begin with your classroom.  Blogs have the ability to be private for certain people.  So to begin there, you classroom could begin a blog for discussions in a curricula area.
Before we begin with the how, we should talk about the why.  Blogging is completely different from the normal essay or paper writing.  Students are given their own voice about a topic and can share who they are.  With this different way of writing you begin to get the students writing and thus engaging in a conversation about a topic or shared idea.  With all this interaction and discussion, you as a teacher can begin to get to know your students better.  You can learn a lot about them.  It also changes the role of a teacher.  Once a proper blogging community is established, students begin to take a larger role in their discussion and learning.  I think all of these are very strong reasons to get your students blogging.
Personally, I have seen blogs used to create and share ideas on books that have been read in different reading groups, to share discussion questions to begin conversations for deeper level analyzing and thinking.    Videos, podcasts, pictures, and other media can be shared on blogs.  There's also the purpose of getting feedback or gathering information.
As your students begin to become better digital citizens, you can begin to explore other blogs created and shared.  I read an article not to long ago where a teacher shared a story.  In his classroom the students had been blogging about a book they had read.  Their blog was shared out with the world.  One day they logged on and saw they had a comment from the author himself.  He shared how he was intrigued by the analyzing and conversation they were having about his book.  What a reward!
Like all shifts, beginning to blog with your class can be a bit scary because it is new, but again, just remember, the distance is nothing, its the first step that is difficult.