4) CLOUD TECHNOLOGIES
What are they?
Cloud technologies certainly make it possible to live "up in the clouds" or on "Cloud 9". You are likely to be familiar with iCloud, Dropbox or Microsoft's OneDrive, which allow us to store files in spaces external to our computer or device. These are examples of cloud storage. Imagine losing your device and all your important documents, photos and videos stored there! Cloud storage gives us the option to archive our files, photos and videos securely, using passwords, via OneDrive, which comes as part of the Microsoft Suite available to staff on the Mona campus, or using Dropbox or iCloud.
Cloud computing is what brings the fast computer services to which we have become accustomed. Cloud computing refers to the processes that allow access to data and applications over the internet from remote physical servers, databases and computers. The remote servers are hosted by a third part, most times, in a different location.
We benefit directly in the area of instruction from the use of cloud-based services as they enable collaboration and provide more flexible opportunities to access resources, for example, those of the campus' Library and the LMS, OurVLE.
Tips (best practice) for using cloud technologies for instruction.
| 1. | Secure your files, videos and photos by using robust passwords and guide students to do the same. |
| 2. |
Comply with the requirements of the IT division of the campus, MITS. |
| 3. | Give clear instructions to students when they are engaging in collaborative activities via cloud computing. |
| 4. | Familiarise yourself with the comment and version history features for activity tracking purposes. |
| 5. | Design basic protocols for use and remind students of them regularly. |
Dropbox - https://www.dropbox.com
iCloud - https://www.icloud.com
OneDrive - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/onedrive/online-cloud-storage
Google Cloud - How You Can Benefit from Google Cloud Storage
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Additional Resources
Infosys BTM. Education Technology Services: Six Cloud Computing Benefits for Education. https://www.infosysbpm.com/blogs/education-technology-services/cloud-computing-benefits-in-education.html#:~:text=
Improved%20collaboration,their%20peers%2C%20even%20from%20home.
eLearning Industry. How Cloud Technology Is Advancing the eLearning Industry in 2022 and Beyond. https://elearningindustry.com/how-cloud-technology-is-advancing-the-elearning-industry-in-2022-and-beyond
James Riddle, IEEE Computer Society. Cloud Technologies in the Education System - https://www.computer.org/publications/tech-news/build-your-career/cloud-technologies-in-the-education-system
RingCentral. Keeping Up with the Cloud: The Changing Landscape of Education - https://www.ringcentral.com/gb/en/cloud-education-solutions.html
Tech Target Network. Cloud Computing. https://www.techtarget.com/searchcloudcomputing/definition/cloud-computing