Student Blogs in the classroom

What about student blogs? I can see using blogs in a Language Arts class, but what about in an Art or Technology Education class. Perhaps students can use a blog to discuss project concerns or read an expert's blog to aid in a problem solving activity. How do your students use blogs in the classroom?

Several concerns come to mind when thinking about students using blogs including the following:

• Will technology be available and reliable when needing to blog?
• How does the teacher assess the blogging part of the activity?
• What's the most appropriate blend of private vs public venue to present a blog?
• Will I be able to keep up with the blogging management?