Blogs in the classroom

Honestly, I hesitate using blogs in the classroom. I teach sixth grade students and we have had issues in the past with students using inappropriate language and even threatening other people online. Is there a blog site that blocks certain words and/or phrases and will not allow them to be posted? I could of course make it so that I have to approve the blog before it is posted, but I am just looking for a short cut if it is out there.

Because I introduce groups of students to middle school, it is also my duty to teach them some increased personal responsibility. I think it would be ideal to have a class blog where students can ask each other for help on homework assignments- of course I will monitor and post as needed- because they need to learn how to ask others for help and a peer is much less scary than a teacher.

Another possible use for blogs includes project presentations. Students may research a topic and post their findings then leave questions for their peers who must then find the answers.

I have heard of some blog sites already set up for students across the world to chat about different content areas, but I am still unclear on who monitors those. How does it not become a purely social atmosphere?

Also, about 96% of my student population is considered economically disadvantaged. Very few have computers at home and even less have internet. The simple logistics of having time for my students to use the limited computers for our school just makes the whole idea a bit daunting. I am going to look into some grants for more computers for my school (my teacher computer is from the 80s and most in our computer labs don't work) but until that point I will come up with something. Perhaps tag-team with the other sixth grade science teacher and do a stations activity in which one station some kids are at the computers. We shall see. Any ideas? I have one class with 31 students and I would estimate that maybe 15 computers in our lab work. Partners could work, but I would prefer for it to be an ongoing thing. This is definitely something I'm going to have to think about.

I don't mean to sound like a Negative Nancy. I love my students, I love my demographics, I love my other teachers and I make the best of what is available. I am just being realistic. In an ideal setting I would create a class website, split my students into groups and create a link for each unit under which students must discuss certain prompts and respond to each other- very similar to our discussions in class.

First blog

I have never blogged before and I am quite nervous that I am doing something wrong. I am a bit ashamed of my ignorance in this area since I am only 23 and grew up in a family centered around technology. My father sheltered me from blog sites due to the potential of predators on the internet. I am old enough now to take the responsibility to learn how to professionally blog in order to further my own education. Any suggestions or comments are welcome.