This article talked about "The Cloud" as a better way of using technology in the classroom and for personal use. The Web based applications that are available in the cloud are generally free and are comparable to the full versions of software but may not be as comprehensive. Because these applications are on line and stored elsewhere than on your hard drive it frees up your computer to run faster and allows it not to be as big of a unit. It also allows you to work from anywhere. No longer will you have to actually bring your flash drives with you or worry about having the latest versions or the right software to open a document. As long as you have Internet access you will be able to bring up the document you were working on.
According to the article "cloud computing has the potential to offer staff and students better services at a lower cost than the technology deployment models they're using now." The down side to this for students and parents is how to acquire the equipment needed to be utilized in the classroom. The article stated that the author "was asked to purchase a $100 graphing calculator when his son was in high school." He goes on to ask "how big a stretch is it to ask parents to provide a $250 netbook computer today?" My answer to that is it is a huge stretch for many parents' pocketbook. With unemployment still being high, gas prices continuing to climb, food costs going up, foreclosures and bankruptcies continuing to occur to ask a parent to fork out money they don't have is unreasonable. And of course the schools do not have the extra cash just laying around either as the state continues to cut the education budget. I can see how this would be an effective teaching tool with students already being techo-savvy, but but not everyone can afford all the newest gigets and gadgets.
There also still needs to be some type of regulation or standardization as to how these types of things would be incorporated into the classroom setting. Even the author mentioned this when he stated "As an organization we need to have some standardization." Then there is the issue of security and privacy of the files. Even though there have not been problems with this as of yet, doesn't mean it cannot or will not happen. There are plenty of hackers out there looking for something to do.
This author believes "change is coming." I do not doubt that but I do not believe it will be anytime soon.
See you all on Tuesday,
Johnson, Doug. Computing in the Clouds. From the ISTE website Learning and Leading with Technology Volume 37 (2009-2010) December/January (No.4)
Hi Sheila,
ReplyDeleteAfter learning a little bit more about the cloud, I understand the benefits of it, and I am an advocate for what it is trying to accomplish. With the cloud, as you mentioned, "it frees up your computer to run faster and allows it not to be as big of a unit. It also allows you to work from anywhere." I really like the idea of not having to buy and carry around a flash drive with you everywhere you go because frankly, it's just another expense, and another thing to keep track of. I think with everyone's hectic lives people prefer their things to all be in one location, so they don't have to think about it, and therefore, they won't lose it! The other thing that you mentioned as an advantage of the cloud is that a person does not have to have the newest versions of software in order to access it and the best part about the cloud, is that it's free! However, the downside to utilizing the cloud, is that a person would have to have access to a computer, and like you mentioned in your post, it is of course unreasonable to require students to buy one, especially with the economy being so bad. I agree with you that "not everyone can afford all the newest gigets and gadgets." However, as I mentioned on Travis's post, a student can always access a computer at a public library or internet cafe if they are not at school and do not own one at home. I also agree with you on the fact that just because the cloud has proven to be private and secure so far, that does not say anything about what could happen in the future. There are plenty of weirdos out there who may have the urge to seek out someone's information one day so a person can never be too careful. I believe that everyone should have a backup system in order to store all their information that they access and share through the internet, just in case. The cloud does need to work out its setbacks, but overall, I do believe that it has the potential to be a very valuable tool for everyone to use!
-Madison Pelzel
Hello Sheila,
ReplyDeleteThis article really seemed interesting. I really like the idea of not worrying about my flash drive or having the latest versions of softwar. I agree that yes this is a “huge stretch to many parents pocketbooks’, but if there is only a onetime payment that will last the life of high school. Then I think the costs of using ‘the cloud’ are cheaper. I was one of those students who had to not only spend $100 on that graphing calculator, but the next year I had to buy another one because I needed a different type. So I think costs will always be there, but it would be cheaper to use a ‘cloud’ since the change in technology will happen in a more virtual world than the concrete one we live in today. You also mentioned that the author believes that “change is coming” and I would have to agree. Just in the last two years the popularity of e-notebooks has exploded! Schools are behind when it comes to technology and this is a concern. Change is coming when it comes to how we communicate, do our work, etc… in our everyday lives and if our schools our behind, then I feel the students will not benefit has much going to school as they did 10 years ago.
Nice Blog... I like the picture!
April E.
Sheila-
ReplyDeleteThe cloud is a valuable tool for educators because it will allow us to more involve our classes into material in and outside of the classroom.
However, I do have a couple reservations, which are obviously the security issues and the "what happens when it crashes" issues, but with modernization and technology, it will be improved.
Sorry for the late comment,
Travis