blogging nanotechnology labwork

I have 2 students working in my lab this summer on nanotechnology projects. We use a knowledge management system to handle experimental details within our lab and collaborators. However, it is difficult to make all of that information public. Also, only experimental details are stored in this database. I think that the most meaningful learning takes place by a conversation process. This is difficult when only "publishable" experimental data is used to convey information.

I have asked the students to blog about their experience this summer, which includes experimental results as well as reflections and thoughts about their work. These blogs can then serve as a part of their electronic portfolio. So far, they are off to a good start. Here are their blogs:

http://rikeshparikh.blogspot.com
http://allisonsilverdeposit.blogspot.com