How could students use blogs to further their learning?

As a first grade teacher, this seems like just a crazy idea. Especially after hearing that technology does not count in Montgomery County Elementary Schools. Apparently lab time should be used for math games and typing papers rather than teaching children how to properly use a computer, how to use tools, and terminology. Needless to say, I had a few things to tell the principal, staff development teacher, and my team about that. My team was so proud of using the computer lab for games...are you serious?! My kids learn how to correctly type but they also learn what a monitor, cpu, mouse, and keyboard are. They also learn to use tools on the computer and the software.

How could blogging be used to better communicate ideas through the professional community?

Lately I have been going to all kinds of professional developments. Just yesterday, I went to a training about teaching students to think critically. I have been asking other teachers throughout the school to do these trainings with me, but they all say they are not interested. However, when I come back from the trainings, they are interested in what I learned as well as the activities I am doing that I learned there.
Also, there are so many ideas around the building for behavior management, teaching, grouping, and dealing with parents. Because of the lack of time that we have many of these ideas go no where or aren't shared.
I thinking if our school had a blog site where we discussed the things that we have done in the classroom or things that we found out were non-sense, everyone would benifit. Also, I would be able to write and attach the information that I learn at the professional developements.
However, I believe that if I were to share this idea with others in the school, I would be the only person blogging because so many people are afraid of the technology. This is a bit surprising to me though because we use what we call-BT Private which is a private space for only staff to share information. We list things that are going on at the school, events, or sometimes even chat about funny things. I think this could easily be turned into a blog for the school.
This however does bring me to another question...Where are we supposed to find the time to do these types of blogs. I feel it is easier to just talk to the person and tell them what I need to say then have to type it. Right now, while I am posting this blog, I am also grading papers, planning for a field trip, and tryring to relax and watch some tv! Sure, this would be easier than telling 10 people the same thing over and over again...but it still takes time.
I am still up in the air about using blogging for communicating ideas. The idea itself is awesome...the time is takes, not so much. (I can't imagine doing this if I was a slow typer or a finger typer!!!)

The Assignment

The assignment for blogging states that we are suppposed to use this blogging tool for educational puposes including to reflect and discuss class information. We can also reflect on course learning, but should be concentrating on the use of blogs in K through 12 classrooms/schools and the professional community.

My thought was that we could each post a blog about something that we see blogs as useful for in the classroom/school. Then we can comment on one anothers. OR, we can choose one larger topic to discuss. Any other thoughts?

Checking In

Ok so I am a little bit confused and I just want to make sure I am in the right place. This is where we are all supposed to be posting our blogs? Just as I am making this post now we are to post weekly entries per the blogging assignment?
I'm pretty sure thats how this is all supposed to work but I just want to make sure.

Jillian

Jen's blog

I like you blog , I had a little experience but I am still a little rusty. I see Joe has follow you too.

Setting up the Blog.

Setting up this blog was fairly simple. I followed the step and surprise, surprise it worked! Then came the thinking, I needed to allow the group to be able to edit and add to the blog. I wasn't sure if a blog could work like a wiki where everyone has control over the content or if I was leading the blogging now. I'm actually still not sure because I made everyone an author. I am hoping that everyone can at least comment because I can easily start a topic. I liked the fact that there were templates to choose from and the setting were also pretty easy to find. I am hoping that using this blog will be as easy as it was to set it up. I can see myself possibly using it in the classroom if it this simple!

Has anyone else set up a blog before? Did you find it simple enough to follow? Do you think parents would be able to follow the idea of using a blog if a teacher used it for class information?