Why should MY students blog?

My "gut" reaction to that question is "DUH!!!"  I work with high school students - blogging, posting, social networking, texting is what they do. That's how the vast majority of them communicate with friends, parents, teachers, etc. If my communication arts class is to be viewed as relevant, it must contain one of the above - the most acceptable, and the only "legal" of the above (during the school day) is blogging.

I have used blogging intermittently for the past few years (access to computers is extremely limited) in the context of response to literature.  The difference in task completion rates in preparation for the blogging conversation does not compare to the rate in preparation for class discussion or testing. Not only did more students prepare, but the energy, excitement, and effort in preparation resulted in, of course, better understanding. So, I have personally observed blogging to be an effective tool.

I should be blogging - and proficient in blogging - as I lead my students through the experience.  I make it a point to write with my students, so I should do the same with technology expectations. 
So I am venturing into the site http://hipteacher.typepad.com/.  Although the posts on the site are two years old or older, there are "Schoolish Links" to blogs that are current. They have fabulous ideas and many of them make me laugh. There are also a couple of professional writers' links.
When I "grow up" as a blogger, I want to be Jim Burke.  He is a prolific writer, and his blog is refreshing, creative, and inspiring. http://jimburke.typepad.com/