Writing for the public
Let students convey what they have learnt in your course to an uneducated public. The comment function can be used by the public for feedback. Alternatively, students can write for the students in another related class.
Why should students write for the public?
Many students only learn to write for their teachers, even though in professional life they will often to have to communicate with people who are not experts. To be able to convey complicated subject matter to non-specialists, they have to thoroughly understand the subject first. In addition, a connection of theory and practical life is created, which both motivates students and draws their attention to the needs of the public in relation to their research.
What else is important?
To make a weblog successful it is important that students are generally willing to write. If their writing has a transparent goal (here: to inform the public or other students), their motivation is increased considerably.