Limitations of Blogging Technology

There are always limits to the strategies we implement as teachers. Although I think blogging is a great way to increase writing skills and media literacy (across the curriculum!), it does present some problems. Namely,

• writing in such a public forum may intimidate students if a "safe environment" is not set-up first.
• allowing for other students' comments may encourage more "harsh commentary" as students are "hidden" behind the computer screen. Additionally, what is preventing students from posting cruel things anonymously? These are considerations that must be had before implementing programming using social media. In my own experience as a blogger, I receive harassment (often sexual in nature) from various readers. Although I attribute this to the political nature of my blog, it cannot be assumed that it would not occur otherwise. We need to teach our students about these risks.
• some students will not have access to computers at home -- this must be considered if it is expected that students' work on their blogs from home.