Journal #1 Computing in the Clouds: NETS 5

Johns, D. (2009/2010, January/February). “Computing in the Clouds”. Learning and Leading with Technology, 37(4), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/LLIssues/Volume3720092010/DecemberJanuaryNo4/Computing_in_the_Clouds.htm

“Computing in the Clouds” is an article which suggests that teachers and administrators could save time and money using online data storage and applications. The author wrote the article using free online word-processing and was able to access his article using several computers. This meant it was not necessary to have a flash drive or hard-drive.

He supported his theory of cost savings in education by explaining that smaller and less expensive computers can be used if files and programs are not stored on them. One example of this type of computer is the “Netbook”. A netbook is lightweight computer and most of them have the following features:

• A 7-10 inch screen
• A small keyboard
• Wireless Internet
• A webcam
• A memory-card slot

There are many forms of no-cost computer software available online to use with the netbook, including: Web-based email, online photo-editing and Google-docs (online word-processing). Therefore, schools would not need to purchase computer software or maintain networks if netbooks were used.

 As far as time-savings is concerned, it seems that the main efficiency with “cloud computing” is that a person can utilize programs for word-processing, spreadsheets, and mail, anytime and anywhere there is Internet connectivity. Additionally, one would not have to worry about transporting files or what version of a document he or she is updating. Everything would be right there where it was saved it online.

  

How is “cloud computing” used in a typical elementary school classroom?

I went to my local elementary school and polled a few of the teachers, students and administrators to ask about “cloud computing”. In most of the classrooms at our local school, El Camino Creek, the students are allowed to access free online games such as Fun Brain or Starfall, use Google.docs, and a variety of math games.

  

It appears that the school uses a mixture of free and subscription-type programs. For example, the school pays for an online subscription to a new math program, enVision.

Will schools move toward the exclusive use of “cloud computing”?

  

In the future, I don’t think that schools will be able to exclusively use “cloud computing” for these reasons:

• The cost of providing every student with a computer: Even if a school had funds to provide a netbook to every student, it would still be costly to maintain them and purchase new ones when the time comes. Additionally, there is not one school in this county that can expect every student to purchase a netbook. There are always a few families that just can’t afford to purchase a computer, much less multiple computers for multiple children. 
• The need for more in-depth progams: As mentioned above, our local elementary school recently purchased an online math program. The detailed elements of this program are most-likely not available in a free online program.
• Information security: Student records and personal information of many families are stored at each school. Storing these records “in the clouds”, where they could be compromised seems like a large security threat.