How can blogging add to our learning?

I think that Blogging can benefit both myself as well as my students.  

For my students, it would give them a platform to express their thoughts, ideas, and creative notions.  It also teaches them that there is more to writing than just essay writing.  I think that it can be a great motivation to our students to use proper english/grammar.  So often our kids get into the habit of using texting/twitter short hand that they forget to be aware of how and what they are writing.  Even though the idea giving 3rd graders access to comment on each others work in a public forum makes me nervous.  It would offer a great opportunity to teach the students about digital citizenship and constructive criticism.  From what I have seen the last few years, students at this age could all use a few lessons on expressing themselves in an appropriate manner.

For me, blogging is going to force me to be even more reflective.  In order to become a great teacher we can't just tell ourselves that the lesson was great.  We have to be honest, and think about how did it work for my kids, what are they still struggling with, what more can I do to help them?  It's also important to share ideas with other educators.  But putting my struggles out there for everyone to read, it is possible that other teachers will comment and offer suggestions that will expand my thinking, and suggest options that I would never have come up with.  

Look at all of the AMAZING teachers who put themselves out there and share what they are doing in their classrooms.  Do you ever feel like you aspire to be one of them?  I do.  Maybe blogging is the first step on my journey.