Using Blogs in Classrooms

Being a high school social studies teacher there are many times my class will have open discussion on a variety of subjects.  I am usually taken back by how students love to talk about current events, or even a controversial government topic, such as the Electoral College.  As much as I try to make everyone in class give an opinion I always know there will be a couple of students in class who have an opinion on a subject, but they are just too shy to give it in class.  I view blogs as another way to incorporate these students into the discussion.  I, and I'm sure many of my students, would be surprised at the opinions and expressions of the students who struggle discussing their opinions in front of the class.