Journal # 1

“Computing in the Clouds” offers an alternative means of file maintenance beyond hard drives and flash drives. People think it’s impossible to fill up a 250 GB hard drive until a year or two of ownership when their computer slows down from all the files they’ve accumulated. Doug Johnson offers “cloud computing” as a solution to this problem.

“Cloud computing” refers to the use of applications and file storage “that reside on a network.” In other words, files and programs don’t run from the user’s computer/laptop from the network itself. As such, the only requirement for speed and effectiveness is a fast connection to this network.

Johnson argues that using this technology in schools (be it strictly for teachers or for students as well) would enhance the effectiveness of technology as a teaching tool. It cannot replace a fully fledged computer, but considering the monetary issues surrounding schools, cloud computing is a cost effective and acceptable alternative to supplying a school with 100 computers, each with their own maintenance and programming issues.

With the dominance of the Internet and the recently developed affordability of Netbooks, cloud computing seems like the way to go. And personally, I’m inclined to agree and seek out my own uses for it in my classroom.

How would you use this in your classroom?
First off, I don't know at what grade level students are expected to be familiar with computers (particularly because of their prevalence in households nowadays), so for the purposes of this answer, I will refer to middle school and upwards.

I would high consider making this an integral aspect of my curriculum. At the beginning of the semester, I would have students set up a variety of accounts (much like we did here in EDUC 422) to establish a functional online foundation for them to easily work on assignments so long as they have access to computers and the Internet. Generally speaking, it gives all students equal ground and resources with which to perform the tasks assigned to them.

What issues would you have to watch out for?
Internet safety would be a top concern. With the issue of privacy, security, even sexual predators online, it would be wise to educate the students on smart use of the technology they are using. Like any other educational tool, its purpose is to enhance the learning experience. But when abused and misused, it can only do harm.