Cloud Computing and Google Apps For Education

Cloud computing is the delivery of computing services over the Internet. Cloud services enable individuals, organizations, education institutions and businesses to use software and hardware that are managed by third parties at remote locations. For example, online file storage, social networking sites, and webmail are all included in the cloud services. The cloud computing model allows the users to access to information or online resources at anytime and from anywhere that a network connection is available. Cloud computing provides a shared pool of resources, including data storage space, networks, computer processing power, and specialized corporate and user applications. One app is shared by everyone, with a commitment to security, reliability and flexibility. The U.S. National

Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) defines the cloud computing as the following: NIST cloud definition, version 15 http://csrc.nist.gov/groups/SNS/cloudcomputing/

 

”Cloud computing is a model for enabling convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications, and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction. This cloud model promotes availability and is composed of five essential characteristics, three service models, and four deployment models.”

 

Cloud services are popular and have many benefits because they can reduce the cost and complexity of owning and operating computers and networks. Since cloud users do not have to purchase hardware, or buy software licenses, so it is flexible and can bring advanced services that a single company might not be able to afford or develop.

Some other benefits to users include scalability, reliability, and efficiency. It is Scalable because it offers unlimited processing and storage capacity. Additionally, the cloud is reliable because it enables access to applications and documents anywhere in the world via the Internet. Moreover, it is also considered to be efficient because it allows organizations to free up resources to focus on innovation and product development.

Another potential benefit is that cloud computing is secure. Users’ personal information may be better protected in the cloud. It improves specific efforts to build privacy protection into technology. Cloud computing will enable more flexible IT acquisition and improvements. It also permits changes to the procedures according to the sensitivity of the data itself. In addition, information in the cloud computing is not lost as easily as the paper documents or hard drives. Today’s education should not be limited; it needs technology to meet the evolving needs of teaching and learning. Google Apps for education help schools and institutions to extend the learning resources beyond the classrooms. It helps students to learn across a wide range of modalities and variety of learning opportunities. These apps are very important in the education because it engages everyone, such as the learners, families and faculties in the school community. It also increases the interaction and collaboration options that allows dynamic learning environment.  For example by visiting www.google.com/a/edu you can get today’s apps. www.Google.com/chrombooks/edu is also an easy and fast tool that unlocks the books for the students.

Finally, as an EFL/ESL teacher, I really like the idea of Google apps to enrich my knowledge and develop my methods. I would also like to help my learners to increase their motivation and creativity to become better learners.