BP3_2010011_Web2.0Tool1Blurtt

How about a post card with a creative handwritten touch? One that provides the same creativity as an e-card, but so much more? That's what you get from Blurtt: a uniquely created postcard, handwritten by You! Blurtt caught my eye and seemed rather interesting to me primarily because of its name. It actually gave me the impression that this would be some web 2.0 tool that would allow users the opportunity to somehow ventilate their frustrations (personal, educational, social or something to that affect) in an online environment--thus the name: Blurtt. However, that wasnt the case! I found that Blurtt is a pretty neat tool though, because it allows users to design their own personal postcards written in their own handwriting! The only prerequisite is that users and recipients must be subscribers to Facebook or Twitter. They don't even have to know the recipients home address! Blurtt does the printing and the mailing and the postcard is delivered right to the recipients door! I would use this tool in my classroom to get students excited about writing as it provides the educational benefits of written communication, improving conventions, and grammar skills. This would make for a fine extra-curricular activity on the upper grade levels and allow students to concentrate on their own handwriting, instead of the Mac's etc., (that we're all so accustomed to today)! I only wish a tool of this kind was available for students on the primary level (and I'm sure there's something similar out there for them) as this would make great workshop lessons for creative writing on their level. But considering that Facebook and Twitter accounts have age requirements, this cancels the primaries out. Other benefits that Blurtt offers: ability to upload logos and images to postcards, payment to designers whose postcards are sold, 2-3 mailing days for postcards in the United States. No need to fight long lines for postage and searching traditional themes used by many others year after year, when you can create your own AND possibly get paid for the work you produce!