The first web 2.0 source I chose is called Loose Leaves. The web address is included in the image below. Simply click on Source at the bottom right corner of the picture.
This source allows individuals to create documents online in the form of a 'loose leaf'. They will be able to save this document and to come back to it at any time they wish. It also allows them to post their 'leafs' on any other website's comments, that may have a limitation on the number of words one can write. They can also share and upload their leafs on their own social media accounts-if they have one. Of course, whether or not they do so is entirely up to them. They have the freedom to explore their choices through this source.
This could be an important tool in education, particularly in english, as it would provide students with an opportunity for creativity and innovation. They would be able to use this as a piece of scrap paper to formulate their ideas and thoughts for a major paper, they could even use this to write their essays on and then later on simply save the URL and email it to themselves to print off. One of the most important things that this does is it allows students to self reflect. After finishing writing a piece and getting the proper feedback on it, students can think about the areas that need improvement in their paper and come back to it and change it as they see fit. This in turn will also further enhance and help them develop their critical thinking and reflection skills.
This tool has the potential to reduce a number of learning barriers, one of the most notable ones being that students who have difficulty and who struggle with expressing their thoughts and opinions on pen and paper are now given an opportunity to do so online. And also, they do not have a time limit, in that they do not have to finish a paper in a short time span of 2 or 3 hours. This inherently reduces the pressure by a substantiate amount and will allow them to think and reflect more carefully on their topics. In this way, it opens the door for their best ideas to come through. It also mitigates some of the factors that comes along with traditional texts. Students can adjust the font size, and the font itself accoding to their own personal preferences. It allows the students to take a much more active role in their own learning. It allows the students to take charge. It gives them an independent, autonomous role in their learning.
This tool doesn't specify what ages the users have to be, so it can be assumed that people of all ages can use this. It is also a great non educational resource, so it makes sense that it would be open to a number of people.
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