Cloud computing has definitely shifted the way that I use the web. I don’t save as much on my computer and I don’t always need to have my jump drive with my files with me. For collaborations I often use Google Docs. I have also uploaded videos on to YouTube and used WordPress and Blogger. […]
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Juliana
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Keisha Edwards-Hamilton
Protecting the environment A major benefit of cloud computing is that it helps to protect the environment. It is a “going green” initiative. For example, schools can opt to use cloud computing for hosting jobs and storage that are Internet based such as email applications offered by Google or Microsoft Office Live instead of using […]
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Angela Novoa
Hi Keisha,
I think that both protecting the environment and cut cost are one of the major benefits from cloud computing. Last year I worked with my students of grade 11 on ePs through a blog. At the end of the academic year their reflections on the benefits of this project were relating to caring for the environment and using a free platform as well. They appreciated not having to print and use a lot of paper as they did before with their physical portfolios.
Angela.
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Keisha Edwards-Hamilton
Angella,
That is so true. Printing for example cost so much and many time my students can hardly find funds to print coursework and assignments. What I have been doing lately is making use of clouds for assignment submissions. My students really appreciate this.
Keisha
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khenry
Hi Keisha,
The ‘green’ benefits are great indeed. I have a no paper policy in most of my classes, which helps to save my college on printing costs. There are instances however, where such costs are transferred to the student as some students prefer to interact with printed material rather than working from a screen.
In terms of ‘little or no flexibility in how the applications work’, I do not see this as a challenge in that most cloud technology are responsive to users’ needs and there are a myriad of them and many possibilities. Companies are also open to creating customised packages. In fact, cloud technology offers ease within such customisations at little or no extra cost – http://www.commensus.com/Cloud-Services
.Kerry-Ann
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Juliana
Hi Keisha,
I am glad that you brought the “protecting the environment” aspect. Through cloud computing there is definte chance of decrease our carbon footprint and consolidating everything. And you are right in that when we use cloud computing, we do give up control. We also have to worry about their servers going down and losing our data. At least when we save our data, we can back up in a variety of ways and we have control, but through cloud computing that is not true.
I wonder if we could get cloud insurance 🙂
Juliana.
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ashleyross
I suppose I may just be used to storing all of my data in the cloud, but I am honestly much more comfortable with the backup capabilities and infrastructure at Google than I am in storing everything on my personal computer’s hard drive and maybe an external USB drive. They spend millions of dollars on making sure our data is safe and secure, and use their own cloud storage and applications for the entire company. I can’t imagine a Fortune 500 company like Google would be willing to use Google Apps if they weren’t 100% sure that the information was safe. If you still don’t trust Google to store your data safely, there is always the option of downloading a copy to your personal computer as discussed in this article: https://docs.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=49115. 🙂
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Jim
Cloud Computing – VoiceThread
Just wanted to thank Deb and Emily for getting the VoiceThread off and running for this week’s evaluative activity involving cloud computing solutions and some case studies. The intent behind the VoiceThread is to collect a range of views and comments concerning these products and services. Please also feel free to comment on other slides […]
Continue reading Cloud Computing – VoiceThread Posted in: Uncategorized -
Jay
“Banking” on clouds
I do not have personal experience using cloud technology in a school environment and while overseas teaching in Japan had little knowledge of the existence of such online software. Looking back it could have been beneficial then but I think as many others have pointed out, privacy issues would likely have been a barrier to […]
Continue reading “Banking” on clouds Posted in: Uncategorized, Week 08: Files in the Cloud-
mcquaid
Hey, Jay.
I liked your comparison of banking to cloud computing – entrusting your money / files to someone else and getting it when you need it… maybe from a bank across the globe! Your comparison had me thinking, though. I don’t care if I get the same $20 bill I gave my bank. I DO care if I get the same file back from Google that I gave them. I don’t care much what a bank does with my non-unique-to-me money. I DO care what happens to my personal files, pictures, and ideas, and where they end up, and if someone has a copy of them.
Perhaps cloud computing is more like running a mint or federal reserve… sending money “out there”, but not allowing copying or destruction of it?-
Jay
Yes these are definitely holes in my banking analogy and I agree it is essential with cloud services such as Google that a person gets back the exact, unique-to-them data that is uploaded and without the risk of it’s replication and non-consented distribution.
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Everton Walker
Jay,
The bank example is a good one. It’s amazing how many persons trust the bank with millions of dollars but are skeptical about doing the same with information. Which is more important? I have a strong feeling that all the skeptics will eventually buy into the cloud idea. This definitely seems to be the way forward especially as persons are now investing in mobile devices.
Everton
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David William Price
Banks have insurance. Money is replaceable. Data is unique.
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hall
Hi Jay,
I like your comparison; that is so creative. I agree with you that bank and cloud technology are similar but to a certain extent. In my view, data can be sold without your knowledge but money is not so. Also in light of David’s view, money is insured but can data be insured? I f cloud technology collapse could we retrieve our data?
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kstooshnov
Hi Jay,
It is amusing to read your thoughts on cloud computing in terms of Japan and banks, as the country has a reputation for being ahead of the technological curve, as parodied in this Onion article, but trying to get a couple thousand yen from an ATM past the bank’s early closing hour (7 pm for most parts of Japan I visited) was next to impossible. Mobile phones could do so many things (I was there prior to the iPhone 3 world-wide release) and no doubt they are still turned off and tucked away in school bags across the country. If data is similar to money, using Japan’s model, we’d have ten to twenty USB drives dangling from our mobile phones. However, on the upside, if we lost our phone somewhere, it would most likely be waiting for us, untampered, at the nearby kōban/police station. A very unique place, ne?
Kairu
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Keisha Edwards-Hamilton
Keisha’s cloudy Bio
Hello All, I reside in Jamaica. I am a Computer studies lecturer at Teachers’ College for over ten years. I will be completing the MET programme at the end of this semester. I have a passion for technology and I also love teaching with technology. I am also fascinated with “files in the clouds” […]
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mcquaid
Keisha, I think your fear is a common one. Handing our files to someone “out there” to take care of is a big leap of faith & trust. Take Facebook, for example – ever notice in the fine print how it gives them permission t retain all of your files / info even if you delete everything down the road? Rather scary. Yet, it’s extremely popular.
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hall
Hi Keisha and mcquaid,
Cloud technology is great but I think it is too transparent. We cannot trust the cloud technology because it lacks confidentiality. I appreciate the information that mcquaid has suggested on Facebook about the providers’ privileges. I was unaware such information.
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Julie S
What is in a name? Cloud Computing.
As a small business owner I’ve been nervous about jumping onto the cloud bandwagon even though it seems to be cost efficient to do so. Maybe it’s the name cloud. There is something non-permanent about the name that makes me nervous about using it as a foundation for running my business. I’ve always thought a […]
Continue reading What is in a name? Cloud Computing. Posted in: Uncategorized, Week 08: Files in the Cloud-
mcquaid
Hi, Julie – great post!
To me, the bookends of your piece resonated with me the most. I hadn’t previously thought how the term cloud could scare people off – that it carried with it suggested impermanence. It’s a bit of a lesson in how much the name of something can make or break it, no matter how good it is.I like how you finish by looking at clouds from another perspective – how they follow you, and that they’re not inflexible. Perhaps how constant they are, even though they may move and change constantly.
Your thoughtfulness of the word itself had me thinking some other great cloud-based thoughts:
Rows and flows of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere
I’ve looked at clouds that way.But now they only block the sun
They rain and snow on everyone
So many things I would have done
But clouds got in my way.I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now
From up and down, and still somehow
It’s cloud’s illusions I recall
I really don’t know clouds at all– Joni Mitchell
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Julie S
Beautiful!
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Everton Walker
Julie,
I guess the name has to do with ever presence of the cloud despite one’s location. In addition, we have low and high clouds indicating that some are out of reach and well secured.
Everton
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kstooshnov
Hi Everton,
The name definitely seems to be evoking lots of thought and discussion on what the new type of computing experience means. When I first heard about the cloud, last year while researching James Cameron’s film Avatar (most of the post-production was done on IBM’s newly-created Gaia cloud system), I admit I was a bit confused – isn’t that just a fancy name for what the Internet already does? The more I looked into it, better I understood how it is more than just connecting computers wirelessly. Each device, from tiny handhelds to tallest CPU tower, is connected in a nebulous way, can easily join with other devices and other users, or remain independent systems. Whether they are high or low clouds, as you mention, is a comforting way of feeling solid and secure in such an intangible atmosphere.
Of course, if were are bringing poetry into the discussion, I wouldn’t be me without mentioning You-know-who… how Antony talks about cloud formations: “That which is now a horse, even with a thought the rack dislimns, and makes it indistinct, as water is in water.” (A&C, IV, xiv, 9-11) and how the flow of information, all that important data that we keep on various devices can vanish somewhere safe until it is needed again.
Kyle
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Kristopher
Benefits to the Cloud
The biggest benefit to working in the cloud for me is the accessibility of documents and information. In my professional life, I have moved from a time-based work environment, to a much more output/outcome based environment. This means that instead of being required to be in one place, I am just required to meet deadlines […]
Continue reading Benefits to the Cloud Posted in: Uncategorized-
jarvise
…accessibility, and files never get corrupted by being passed through various endpoints.
Emily
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jenaca
Hi Kristopher,
I too find that the biggest benefit to working in the cloud is the accessibility of documents and information. I believe this makes things so easy and organized and when I can’t find a document on my computer, I know where to find it elsewhere.
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bcourey
I too like the accessiblity – I travel so much for work and at times I take my laptop, others I take my netbook, others I just get to use my blackberry – I love how it doesn’t matter what device I have with me, I can access my files..I also love the ease of collaboration with google docs – can’t do that easily by passing attachments back and forth via email.
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mcquaid
Allowing people to study or work in their preferred field but live where they wish is a great advantage… just look at what we all do here together! I also think of my brother, for example, who lives here on PEI, but makes part of his living writing for Marvel Comics. Ten years ago, he never would have been able to stay here and do what he now does.
Even more importantly, it increases the possibilities for people to get ahead professionally. Suddenly, someone with a certain set of skills and training in a poorer or even developing country can make a better life for themselves. It’s an opportunity creator / enabler!
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Juliana
Conclusion on Blogging
Hello Everyone! Thank you very much for a great week of posts! It was a great week of discussion and we learned a lot about your practical experiences in blogging. From our week’s discussion, we found that most people used blogging either in the classroom or for personal reasons. In this post, I will only […]
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jarvise
Thanks all for a great week. I like how you built in options of which discussions to pursue. Good job!
Emily
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Deb Kim
Emily,
Thank you for your kind comment. We truly enjoyed presenting, reading, and participating in the discussions as well. Also, I learned a lot more about blogging as I worked on this assignment. Great experience!Deb
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andrea
blogging mashup
This post is a bit of a mashup of the different discussion questions this week. Just a note about my comments, I don’t currently use blogs as a teaching tool (I’m not a teacher), but I can appreciate their value in the classroom. I see a couple the pedagogical values of blogging as the opportunities […]
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bcourey
Thanks Andrea! I also find that blogging is not the best way for interaction – back and forth discussion is a bit awkward. I also consider blogs to be a great source for other information – links to journals and videos are often found there and I take advantage of it. My newest source of information is Scoop.it – I now follow a great site 21st Century in Scoop.it where daily links are provided on this topic. Interesting prediction that blogging may decline – you may be right. Unless someone creates a blogging platform that mashes together the great features of blogs plus the speedy interaction capability of Facebook and Twitter.
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David Berljawsky
Blogging Concerns in Education
Well, I feel that I’m being repetitive in my opinion, but privacy is a huge concern of mine, but I will save that for another time. My concern with blogs is honesty. I have used blogs in classes before with overall positive results. However, I have come across some issues that need to be addressed, […]
Continue reading Blogging Concerns in Education Posted in: Uncategorized, Week 07: Blogs-
jenaca
Hi David,
Thank you for your post and I agree that privacy, honesty and civility are major concerns when it comes to blogging. I think students do need supervision as we all know face-to-face is not the same as hiding behind a computer, so I agree that cyber-bullying and other kinds of “free thought” are things we as educators, parents and adults should be aware of.
You pose a good question, how are we supposed to know that others opinions are genuine? As it is always hard to tell through text and text alone. Anyone have any thoughts on this?
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Jason Lam
Dear David,
I think the problem is that when your students are posting replies to your posts or creating their own is that everyone knows who they are. It would be a form of social inhibition. A factor you should consider is the size of your classes. How big are they? Big enough to fill a lecture theatre or just enough for a small classroom in Buchanan?
A solution (albeit unwieldy) is to let students create their own pseudonyms and email/private message you them and their real counterparts. They won’t feel as pressured by their peers to conform to any ideas the majority may agree on. However, they may feel that there is a certain answer that you want to hear from them.
If you’re looking for answers as truthful as possible, you may want to consider anonymity. Although the disadvantage (not knowing who’s contributing what) is obvious, there is a lower probability of retracting one’s statements and being truthful.
Take me, for instance. I’m a student, though not one of yours, which is why I’m being as frank as I possibly can with you. If you were one of my current instructors, I would most certainly think of what I’m saying before posting it on the Net, because as everyone knows, once it’s on the Net, it’s out there for good. Unless you delete right after you post it (and even then), you’ll have no choice but to watch as your post gets bombarded by replies that will embarrass you and make you retract into a figurative shell.
Cyberbullying… well, that’s the downside of the anonymity solution I posted above, the GIFT. While not exactly inversely proportional, there is a somewhat negative correlation between truthfulness and civility. Best to consider the options you have and what you’d prefer.
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bcourey
Thanks David for bringing this subject up – there is indeed a risk that students will not express their opinions honestly because they may worry about what others might think…but this does not just pertain to online blogging. Think of the number of times in regular classrooms (I am thinking of K-12 here) that student work is posted for all to see – students are expected to express their opinions and present arguments with evidence to back up their stance all the time. So I am not sure that a blog would be a scarier place for expressing opinions – we teach our students to always express their opinions (even when they are expressing a strong disagreement-or giving peer feedback) in a respectful but honest manner – it takes a long time for students to get used to this, but it does work. I know that we often use anonymous surveys as a means to get feedback from a group, but we should teach our students to stand up for themselves, be advocates – and also be gracious when on the receiving end of criticism or an opposing view.
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Deb Giesbrecht
I have the same concerns. Honesty though, in a blog takes on a different meaning- I think we can be dishonest in all our endeavors and not just blogging. However, it is far more challenging to be honest if you are writing your classmates and everyone in the world, or just your educator. Bullying and civility are major issues – and can always be a bit stressful in dealing with the consequences of having public spheres.
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Allie
In pointing out that students need supervision, you point to something important about using blogs in education – it takes a *lot* of time to monitor online activity. I’m lucky that with my university students (I’ve used wikis, not blogs – but similar deal), I merely need to let them know that I expect them to be kind, cool and respectful. I imagine that with younger students, there’s a lot more behaviour modification – esp online behaviour- that one would have to engage in.
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mcquaid 5:32 pm on October 29, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
It’s tough, isn’t it, Juliana, to not do what the e-crowd is doing? I would have no problem dropping Facebook if something with more control / privacy came along. Until then, though, F-book is fine with me. I just use it somewhat cautiously, like yourself. I watched a presentation on some tech-related things at our teachers’ convention last week, and one of the items mentioned was how Facebook reserves the right to keep your files / information on their servers, even if you delete them. After one of their more recent changes, I also noticed that everything you post with someone – even just what was said in a chat – is retained. A cousin of mine played around with it, as we both didn’t like it, and found that, even if one person deletes a whole conversation, the other person still has a complete record of what was said between them over however many months these things are kept.
It’s a definite shift these days, I think, to cloud storage rather than hard disk or even USB drives, as you said. One way I like this is in the music sector – paying for a monthly service may just get many artists more of the money they are owed than the current system.
Juliana 6:55 pm on October 30, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
My worry is that in the future things will continue to get worse. In some ways I feel the corporations are controlling us to have a web presence even if we want to or not. I mean try and do anything without the internet these days (ie. banking, paying bills, credit cards etc.). The show “Modern Family” did a very funny episode on this when the family tried to not use any technology for a while.
The worrying part is that each time we do participate in online activities we are giving more and more information that sits on a database somewhere it can soon be accessed and used for who knows what.
Juliana.
andrea 2:09 pm on October 30, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Juliana, I can relate to your comments about privacy. I also do not have a Facebook account (partly because I think we are in an age of over-sharing, and partly because I don’t want to surrender my photos, conversations and information to Mr. Z.). I was interested in the sections of this presentation on security, because that would be one of my main concerns for cloud computing. Although organizations like Google go to great lengths to protect the information from outside attack, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t collecting and using that information for their own purposes. (I know this sounds really paranoid, but it’s an interesting area for discussion, I think.) This great quote from Kevin Bankston, senior staff attorney at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, was in a ComputerWorld article on the topic: “Google knows more about you than your mother.”
Andrea
Juliana 6:19 pm on October 30, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Nah! I don’t think you are paranoid at all. I think you are correct in that companies are using the information that we are freely giving them for their own purposes. Sometimes we have to if we are to participate with others via the internet or even do some online banking, but I do think it is wise to be choosy in what we choose to share and what we choose to keep private.
Juliana.