The opening of Thornburg’s (2009) article Current Trends in Educational Technology
discusses the trend of school systems moving towards netbooks and “greener”
personal computers as a means of saving money and using less energy. I mention this opening because the goal of
this trend is two-fold (energy and money), but knowing the financial state of
school systems, the number one goal is to save money and achieve a
technologically advanced learning environment.
Similarly, the concept of cloud computing has the potential to save
money for school systems while offering to lessen some of the technological
burden placed on school-wide servers. The
concept of cloud computing is creating a system in which organizations rely on
a web-based system to house and store information and applications that can be
accessed by all participants in the organization (Strickland, 2013). This decreases the need for software and
hardware on the school system’s part.
Achieving a one-to-one student to computer ratio is
considered the optimal setting to immerse students in technology. However, the costs associated with that can
be astronomical when considering the cost of computers and software. However, cloud computing has the potential to
relieve school systems of some of the burden created by purchasing software and
software licenses. While it is often necessary to purchase agreements and
packages with the cloud-based companies, the cost is less than those incurred from
traditional technology purchases. In
recent years our school system has moved to a form of cloud computing by using
PowerSchool, the web-based version, as a grade keeping tool. Using this program has saved the school
system in software purchases and server space as everything is houses outside
of the school systems servers.
There are some concerns associated with cloud-based
computing. First and foremost, and the
most widely mentioned pitfall is data security.
School systems and companies are accustomed to housing and securing
personal and pertinent data, yet cloud computing puts the burden of security on
the company housing the data. Also,
another issue that has been raised is the lack of control by the organization
using the cloud technology. This has
also led to further questions concerning the ownership of the information. Although the information was created by the
organization, the information is housed and secured by the cloud company. This creates an issue of who has rights to
the information (Strickland, 2013).
Without having a deep understanding of cloud-based
computing, it would be very difficult to develop a plan to make cloud-based computing
better than it is. Obviously the security
issues would be a way to improve performance, but other than that it seems that
there are not any improvements that can be made.
For more information:
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/cloud-computing/cloud-computing3.htm
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/cloud-computing/cloud-computing3.htm
Resources:
Strickland J., (2013). How cloud computing works. Retrieved from http://computer.howstuffworks.com/cloud-computing/cloud-computing3.htm on December 10, 2013.
Strickland J., (2013). How cloud computing works. Retrieved from http://computer.howstuffworks.com/cloud-computing/cloud-computing3.htm on December 10, 2013.
Thornburg, D. D. (2009a). Current trends in educational technology. Lake Barrington, IL: Thornburg Center for Space
Exploration.
John,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your posting. I had not really heard of cloud computing except when Google introduced me to icloud and backing up the information on my tablet and iphone to a web device online. I had never considered using it as a source for education. We have also gone to a web based online storage site called e-class for our grading and student information needs. I am not sure what the cost was but I think it has been much easier for grading. I agree that money and the costs of these new technologies plays a major factor for whether or not they are used in schools. Good post!
Brian
Brian,
DeleteWhen I began researching cloud computing I did not expect to find any examples in our school system. It sounds like e-class and PowerSchool are the same thing, just a different company producing the service. I had only heard of iCloud before this activity, so I was pleasantly surprised to know that cloud computing was much more than something that Apple has put out.
John,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the post. I think I speak for a lot of "wanna be" tech gurus, it is nice to see that cloud technology is as close as it is. What I mean, is that sometimes technology is spoke of in a way that makes it seem distant and hard to make a connection with. However, cloud technology is already in use in our school system. The most interesting part is that it has the potential to save school systems a lot of money. This is especially important as schools are facing more budget cuts.
John,
ReplyDeleteI began learning a little about cloud computing last quarter and I think it is convenient to use. So far, I have been using Microsoft's SkyDrive to save and access my documents on any computer. My main concern, as you have mentioned, is the security and rights to documents. I can understand why individuals and companies would be hesitant to use cloud computing services.
~Marie
John,
ReplyDeleteI am struggling a bit with the cloud and creating synchronized backups on more than one 'cloud' platform. I have Google drive, Sky drive and Amazon Cloud... One thing I don't like is trying to find help....