Why use blogs for Writing Across the Curriculm?

Blogs provide several distinct advantages over using word processors or paper and pencil for writing assignments.

1) Blogs are Cool - Students expect to use modern technology as part of their educational experience. Out in the business world, they will use technology every day. Shying away from using technology just makes us professors look like we're stuck in the 1960s!
2) Students are More Engaged - We've assigned plenty of conventional writing assignments in our day. But when we started using blogs, we noticed an increased level of student engagement. Blogging is more fun than writing an essay...even though students are actually doing the same thing!
3) Students are Already Blogging...Even if They Don't Realize It - Facebook, MySpace and other social networks all feature tools that are similar (if not identical) to blogs. Students are already used to communicating with their friends using these tools so we might as well let them use tools they've already mastered to do their schoolwork.
4) The Learning Curve is Minimal - Blogging tools are designed to be easy to use. If you have the skills to write and send e-mail, you can create a professional looking blog. No complex technical skills (such as knowledge of HTML) are required.
5) Blogs Foster Peer Review - Peer reviews are a fantastic way to improve the level of student writing. Students often respond better to suggestions from peers than from teachers. Since blogs are web pages and are designed to be accessible by everyone, it is easy for students to review and comment on the blogs of classmates.
6) Blogs Can Live On After the Semester - There is no reason that students have to stop blogging at the end of the semester. Some of our students have established informational blogs that they plan to continue expanding.