Postcrossing

Resources Links and/or class examples: [] [] [] (YouTube video explanation) []

SWOT Analysis:

Strengths: · Free · Easy to Enroll · Connect to people around the world · Only cost of participation is the price of a postcard stamp · Learn about the different countries directly from a person living there. · Great out of classroom experience · Does not require an entire computer lab for student participation. · Students can participate at home and at school.

Weaknesses: · You can’t pick the location of where to send OR receive a postcard. · Requires an email address. · You will receive the same number of postcards that you send yourself. · No monitor of who is sending the postcard (content could possibly become inappropriate.) · Website does not monitor the ages or background of its users. (Who is sending the postcards???) · May take weeks to receive the postcard.

Opportunities: · Individuals can gain a pen pal across the globe. · Participants can create blogs/online journals to showcase their postcards. · Participants can participate in other blogs that highlight postcards received.

Threats: · Users are not monitored. Adults could be sending children postcards that are not appropriate. · You must submit your name and address to participate.

Ideas for the Classroom: · Incorporate this into a study of the continents in our world. · Use to teach students the parts of a letter, writing a letter, and addressing a letter. · Allows students the opportunity to practice writing their own personal address.