Journal #1: Computing in the Clouds (NETS 5)

Journal #1: Computing in the Clouds


Johnson., D. (2009). Computing in the clouds. Publications L&L, 37(4), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/LLIssues/Volume3720092010/DecemberJanuaryNo4/Computing_in_the_Clouds.htm

This article was about the so called, Cloud, or internet. The author discussed many new programs on the web that can store documents, data, as well as pictures that don’t take up space on a hard drive or flash drive. Some of the programs he discussed were programs such as Google docs and email programs that allow you to save and share and open your documents on different computers and with different people. Net books came into this discussion as a possibility usage in schools. The author believes that by using cheaper “net books” in the classroom students and faculty members could make and share and store data easier. Although the author talks highly of these cloud movement he says there can still be some down falls such as lack of internet connection and with net book inabilities to make cd’s and DVDs over the web. But in the bigger picture programs that the “cloud” offers will only lead to more opportunities and benefits for both you and your computer in the end.

Why would it be better to use programs like these not only for personal use but also in the classroom? Let’s say we have a scenario in which a teacher has all her grades in a document saved on her computer. One day an accident happens are her computer breaks down and she loses all her hard drive. The teacher didn’t back up her document of her grades and doesn’t have them recorded anywhere else. This teacher would be in quite a pickle. If the teacher used programs such as googleDocs or emailing programs the teacher could have had her grade sheet posted someone where she could always access it even if her computer personal computer broke.

How could teachers utilize the “cloud” in regards to students learning? One activity that I thought would be beneficial with programs that the cloud offers is a research type project. You can have the kids go to a museum or exhibit and asked them to blog about what they saw and what they thought. Then have the students use social booking marking and Google Docs to collaborate with another student with a similar topic where they could put together a short research summary about what they saw at that exhibit or museum.