Combining Web 2.0 technologies and Cloud computing could mean endless possibilities for education.
TechTalk reports, "Cloud computing...posits a view of computing in which all data and all the applications to create and manipulate that data exist in the “cloud”; that is, on the Internet in various online services" (Holschuh & Caverly, 2010).
If you use:
- Flickr
- Google Docs
- Wikis
- Blogs...
...you are already utilizing the "cloud" to some extent.
Services like these mean reduced costs for schools when it comes to hardware and software alike. Applications like Photoshop (photoshop.com) and Microsoft Office (Google docs) have their online counterparts. And with the storage capabilities of the "cloud", smaller, inexpensive netbooks can be as powerful as the latest, fastest desktop computer (Holschuh & Caverly, 2010).
Of course, there can be drawbacks. How much hubbub have we heard about the privacy and ownership issues on social networking sites? Those kinds of issues need close attention. There is always a chance of losing data, and online services have been known to go down for periods of time. TechTalk points out that "it is far more likely that an individual computer user will lose data than, say, Google, with their multiple servers and consistent backups" (Holschuh & Caverly, 2010).
What do you think about the big fluffy wireless hard drive floating above our heads? Can it drive education forward? Between the accessibility and affordability it offers, I'd vote yes.
Apple. (2011, October). Apple - icloud - your content. on all your devices. Retrieved from http://www.apple.com/icloud/
Holschuh, D., & Caverly, D. (2010). Techtalk: Cloud computing and developmental education. Journal of Developmental Education, 33(3), 38-39. Retrieved from http://eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/contentdelivery/servlet/ERICServlet?accno=EJ942874
Of course, there can be drawbacks. How much hubbub have we heard about the privacy and ownership issues on social networking sites? Those kinds of issues need close attention. There is always a chance of losing data, and online services have been known to go down for periods of time. TechTalk points out that "it is far more likely that an individual computer user will lose data than, say, Google, with their multiple servers and consistent backups" (Holschuh & Caverly, 2010).
What do you think about the big fluffy wireless hard drive floating above our heads? Can it drive education forward? Between the accessibility and affordability it offers, I'd vote yes.
Apple. (2011, October). Apple - icloud - your content. on all your devices. Retrieved from http://www.apple.com/icloud/
Holschuh, D., & Caverly, D. (2010). Techtalk: Cloud computing and developmental education. Journal of Developmental Education, 33(3), 38-39. Retrieved from http://eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/contentdelivery/servlet/ERICServlet?accno=EJ942874
I actually think it's a great thing for education, especially teachers. I am a floating teacher, meaning that I have no home base. I go to several classrooms a day and use several different computers. I lose precious time at the beginning of each class time, because I have to get all my files organized. If I had the cloud, it would be a seamless transition to each class. I also think it's great for students as well. They could begin an assignment on one device and pick up it where they left off on another device. Advanced technology makes education and learning possible whenever and where ever.
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