Technology in the classroom

One of the biggest challenges for a face-to-face instructor is technology. How much technology can you use in your class? How much is too much? There are so many cool web 2.0 applications instructors can take advantage of in the classroom (e.g., second life, facebook, blogs, twitter etc...), but using too many of these technologies can seem overwhelming to students. Is it fair to require students to utilize this technology for a grade when some students do not have regular internet access? As a community college, we have to serve all members of the community, including those without regular access to computers and the internet. Some students sign up for face-to-face courses over internet courses simply because of the technology.

I've been experimenting with some technology in my class this semester. I have done some online discussions and created a facebook group. I rely on blackboard to share files with students and communicate with them outside of class. My students sometimes do complain about having to log on to blackboard to get course files instead of handouts, and contacting me via email instead of phone.

I've been toying with the idea of students creating blogs next semester. I have seen so much discussion about theory this semester, that I would like to see regular weekly reflection papers about the material. In an effort to go green and utilize technology, I was thinking that requiring students to write a weekly blog could be the way to go. My question is still, is it fair to all students? Do I need to offer the alternative of paper journal entries? Or is it beneficial to get students to use this technology?