There are many different types of edublogs, structured blogging spaces useful for providing the required supports that encourage learners to engage each other in various ways. Here is a rudimentary sketch of how a learning partnership might work between the mentor and the student.

Learners all have different inclinations towards how they would use their blogs, given the appropriate inspiration. Students can be encouraged to blog reflectively, critically, and creatively, but all these forms of expression need periods of blogging apprenticeships. The forms of blogging are all different, and need appropriate supports for each.In addition, the blogging contexts all differ - some students feel more comfortable with blogging as an autonomous learner, doing their own thing. Others need the interaction with others (what I call embedded learners) to stay on topic and remain motivated. Others seek debate, argument, engaging others in the discussion over ideas. Still others prefer the sharing of experiences and forming a close-knit support circle (what I call the confessional circle). Still others are performers, engaged with others in sharing ideas, creative works. Instructors interacting with their cohort to "just" talk about the course content miss an amazing opportunity for conversation. Currently I am putting together a program to encourage blogging among literacy learners. Here is a draft of a cluster map about self-regulated blogging for use with adult literacy learners.