Thoughts on the use of blogs as a teacher and learning tool

These are my beginning thoughts on using blogs. I am intrigued with the possibilities:

• open, uncensored opportunity for sharing of ideas with others
• opportunity for people to publish to the web without having to have a knowledge or understanding of web page creation
• free access -- enabling anyone who has access to the Internet to use this, without having to purchase space on a server or to have to jump through hoops (e.g. within an organization or school to get a page online)
  
• students have a real audience for their writing, which makes what they have to say more meaningful

I am curious about what other people think about using blogs. I invite you to share your thoughts. For example: What have been your experiences in using blogs, either as a creator of blogs or as a someone who reads blogs created by others? What do you think are pros and cons for their use in educational and work settings?