www.blogger.com

Description:
Blogger is the grandaddy of blog sites.  One of the best out there in part because it is backed by the Google corporate resources (which are huge).  You can use the same account for blogger as for your Google Docs and iGoogle home page.  A blog is a simplified discussion board where one person (the blogger) publishes items (called posts) that can be read online.  After each post, readers have an opportunity to comment back and participate in a discussion.  Blogger has great integration with other tools like delicious and various rss feeders.  It also has a very large array of skins to create a custom layout and everything is menu driven. 

Ideas for use:
Convert your newsletter to interactive by taking each article and making it a blog post.  Now people who read your article can leave comments and spark conversation.  You’ll know what people think as a result!  Also, a teacher can frame the essential question of the day and students can then engage in dialog via text.  The shy students who won’t raise their hands in class will chime in and conversation about the question will spill beyond the time constraints of the class.

Considerations:
As with any situation where you are asking students to publish, discuss the parameters with your students and notify parents.  Different ages require different levels of precaution.  Most importantly, make sure your students have been trained on Internet Safety and know how to protect their identities online!