class in wiki and blog versus blackboard

I am finding that using the wiki and blogs rather than the webct does not allow for me to look at one place for a/the class discussion. I am accustomed to no face-to-face but I miss not having a central meeting place during the week. I am reading the blogs and they are great but when I post or respond I wonder if I am talking to only the blog owner or maybe someone who might read and respond to a particular post. I am not sure what the rest of the class is reading. I understand I am talking to all who read the blog entry and not just classmates and that enriches the dialog. Also, just because we are supposed to read and/or listen to everyone in class that is not necessarily what happens in class or on webct. All students tune out sometimes and maybe it works better to give some choice in where to focus or to which posts to reply.

I make these comments to be sure to raise the issue for those using wikis or blogs to run their class. I think wikis and blogs have great potential for learning. It may take traditional students and teachers a while to feel secure that they are talking and meeting and being heard in this type of environment. This is not the old linear presentation or a sage on the stage classroom.