Cloud+Computing

(There are videos at the bottom of this page that give you quick and easy information about what cloud computing is.)

 **What is cloud computing?**  In short cloud computing--Having data managed off-site and accessible from any place with an Internet connection. Data is stored somewhere on the Internet and not on your hard drive. I suppose it's called cloud computing because the data is sort of floating out there...somewhere. This Kim's Tech Tips exists in the cloud. I'm sharing this information with you without having to email you heaps of attachments containing this information. What's more, I can add and subtract from this site whenever I want, provided I have access to the Internet. I can even work on this while I'm relaxing on the beach!


 * What are examples of cloud computing? **
 * Email on the go: Yahoo mail, Gmail, Hotmail
 * Applications that facilitate collaboration: Google Docs, Wikispaces
 * Photo storage and editing: Flickr
 * Movies: Netflix
 * Online streaming servicesthat allow access to music: Pandora, Rhapsody, Napster, Mog, Lalla, Spodify (There's more information about these services in the section called Music)

 Some folks go as far as saying that cloud computing is yet another example of **disruptive innovation** (Read Clayton Christensen and Michael Horn's book //Disrupting Class//) changing the way we do things. Traditionally, we purchased computers and loaded them up with all kinds of fancy software. Now with cheap netbooks and cloud computing, fully loaded personal computers could become a thing of the past.

 **What does cloud computing mean for education?**  It's likely that you are already using a cloud computing application in your classroom. Have you used Google Docs to help keep track of your students' progress on their projects? Have you composed documents on word processing software that is NOT stored on your computer but stored elsewhere? Do you use Web-based email to communicate with people in our school community?

**Using cloud computing obviates**
 * moving files from one place to another using a flash drive or other portable storage device, so you don't have to worry about students (or yourself) misplacing a drive containing the report that was due yesterday
 * saving files on your computer's hard drive (What happens when a student saves a file on the hard drive of one of our school laptops? As soon as the computer is shut down or goes into restart mode--Poof! the file is gone)
 * emailing documents (think homework assignments)

 The bottom line is that cloud computing is viewed as a low-cost solution to expensive storage problems and the purchase of applications. Most schools aren't flush with cash to devote to computer storage and software.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;"> **Is there a connection between cloud computing and one-to-one laptop programs?** <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;"> Indeed! With free Web-based applications and netbooks, schools can cut expenses immensely. Before cloud computing, schools purchased computers at more than $1000 each and then had to pay for licenses for the software they put on each computer. Now schools can spend $300-$400 on a netbook (and the prices are falling) and take advantage of access to free applications. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;"> //That spells higher salaries and more extensive benefits for teachers, right?// <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;"> What's more, computers or netbooks can be used interchangeably. So...if computer/netbook #4-21 crashes and burns, one could easily substitute another--no lost data, no muss, no fuss.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;"> **What are the drawbacks to cloud computing?**
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Free Web-based applications may not be as comprehensive as the full versions you install on your computer
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">In some places Internet connections aren't reliable (SOLUTION! Google Gears browser applet allows you to work off line and allows you to synchronize your documents when you are able to reconnect. How 'bout them apples!)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">There's a fear that free services might become fee-based in the near future. It's anybody's guess right now. As it stands, free applications are paid for by advertisements and the sales of full-blown versions that some of us will still pay for.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Security: Security breaches don't happen often. When they do, we all get nervous. Data security is something we should all consider.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Privacy: Companies such as Google claim they don't share your data and will remove your data upon request.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;"> **What should a school consider before making cloud computing part of just what they do?**
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Teacher training: Do teachers have the training and resources to use cloud computing and the new devices that will be used to access "the cloud"? Will teachers have time during work hours to learn how to use the resources?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Does the school have a policy about student-owned devices? (Cellphone bans work oh so well, don't they?)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Does the school have the necessary infrastructure to support heaps of little devices leaping onto the Internet, perhaps all at once?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Has the school looked into using Google Apps Education Edition and Microsoft's live@edu?

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;"> **What does your crystal ball say about the future of cloud computing?** <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;"> It's going to expand. Google is in the process of producing a service that will allow users to prin to any printer from any computer or computer-like device. Users will be able to send print jobs to Google Cloud Print via the Web then direct the job to a a specified "cloud aware" printer or even a legacy printer (i.e. That's jargon for current printers.) Don't rush out just yet to your nearest big box electronics store and demand a cloud aware printer--as of June 2010 they don't exist. It seems cloud printing will solve my problem of printing from my Mac to my HP Laserjet 1020 which no longer offers drivers for Mac OS. Arrrrgggghhh!

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;"> That's all I have to say about cloud computing. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">This Youtube video offers another explanation of cloud computing.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;"> media type="youtube" key="QJncFirhjPg" height="385" width="480"

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 144%;"> If you prefer the In Plain English video explanations, visit <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 144%;"> Common Craft

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 96%;">The commentary that appears on this site was informed by the article "Computing in the Clouds" by Doug Johnson Learning and Leading, November 2009 published by the International Society of Technology in Education