Journals and Wikis and Blogs! (Oh, My!)

It seems like everyone has a wiki or blog these days. Postings range from the mundane (how I spent my day) to the esoteric (what is the meaning of life?). However, are there appropriate instructional uses for blogs and wikis or are they just a fad?

I believe that blogs, online journals, and wikis can be powerful educational tools for communication and collaboration if used wisely. An excellent article on Blogging can be found in Learning and Leading with Technology, Volume 32 No. 6. The title of the article is Blog ON: Building Communication and Collaboration among Staff and Students by Catherine Poling.