Cloud Computing in Education - Report Example

Educational Technology Introduction Scholars argue that Educational technology revolve around the use of technological tools in learning. It includes the use of tools like media, machines and the framework of passing information through technology applications and processes. Educational technology provides the learners with an unmatched opportunity to learn in whatever way they want. Instructional design on the other hand, is the methodical development of instructions and specifications and incorporating them in the process of learning (Wiggins & McTighe, 2005). This paper will look at the different educational technology used today and the various impacts they have on the students and learning community at large. Technology Peripheral Equipment Peripheral equipment is described as a device that is separate from the essential computer. They are input and output devices that connect a computer to other devices, and gives a computer system more features. Some peripheral devices that may be attached to computers are monitors, disk drives, modems, printers, scanners, cameras, and speakers.. They have enabled student to type and print papers in a conventional way that makes it neat and easier to understand unlike in the past where research papers could be presented in hand written form. The use of cameras, videos and speakers has helped during lectures in large lecture halls where it would otherwise be impossible to communicate with the students. Cloud computing In cloud computing a network of computers runs the computer applications and a computer use only does not need a lot of unnecessary hardware and software instead they are able to run by only using is the cloud computing systems interface software like a web browser.Customers pay for the services without bearing the cost of hardware and software and, it allows for automatic upgrade of applications and easier access to information. Cloud computing offer learning institutions with economies of scales and an availability of much more information hence saving the institution from hosting data centers that are expensive to maintain and highly under-utilized.Education centers use cloud computing to store data that is open for education purposes to all students. There is also an increased availability of information from cloud computing that is easily accessible to students through various sites.This helps the students get online services for learning and assessment effortlessly (Sclater, 2010). This tool as a mode of learning benefits the institution by cutting their consumption bills and provides information to all members at all times this boosts efficiency by the administration that are capable of concentrating on the actual institution business that is research and education. The students and teachers are provided with a wide range of applications that contain innovative tools and features. Thus, they should not stress themselves on losing data because of the safety and the storage capacity of the cloud, this data is then readily available to the users from a range of devices including mobile phones (Sclater, 2010). However, there is the risk involved in using cloud computing that is data security. Personal data may be made available to a large number of users and this violates the right to privacy. This transfer of data to a third party for storage provides a risk of this information being made available to unwanted users, therefor some educational institutions may then sign a contract with data providers fixing a penalty in case of breach. Web 2.0 Tools Web 2.0 is the read and writes web, it allows the users to read information and write and share their information with other internet users on the web. The tools include Wikipedia and blogs among others. They allow users to alter web pages contents and interact with others. These websites may be accessed over the internet and may contain data from the cloud.Web 2.0 is designed to provide tools to solve technical problems and it presentsone with issues that raise questions.The open nature of Web 2.0provides a collaborative working environment that is easy to use and the availability of metadata in an easy manner makes it more attractive in the research arena. This tool is popular with researchers who engage in peer debates, share result and seek help from each other on various issues and discipline.These tools have the ability to facilitate communication between students and faculty members within a learning institution. Most researchers publish their first work themselves in the readily available platforms provided by Web 2.0 (Andersen, 2007).  Web 2.0 teaching tools have been argued as agents of inspiration and engagement in learning. It contains basic information, curriculum ideas, and other resources that help the teacher save time. These tools have standards that help the students communicate and collaborate effectively with others; it creates a platform for critical and creative thinking while gathering and analyzing information.it is a beneficial tool to both the students and teachers in the curriculum development and guide. Apparently, social networking in regard to Web 2.0 ensures that, students not only access online material but generate content and interacting with others as well. Social networking tools An online Social networking tool in education is use of technology that enables people to connect, collaborate and form a virtual community online.it allows for any visitors to send emails, post comments or participate in chats. They are a great way to discuss school for the students. According to a research done in 2010, social networks can help in sharing information and resources, creating learning communities online and it also helps improve communication between students and faculty. The main disadvantage of social networking is its openness which exposes students to obscene language and abhorrent activities online (White et al, 2011). However, schools can improve their students’ participation in these sites by determining the sites that the students are fond off and creating a community in them and make students aware of the free learning opportunities available to them online  White et al, (2011) articulates that social networking is among the best approaches that are mostly used by educators to connect learners with other people who share their interests; they may also help encourage students to publish their own work to a wider online audience. Social sites offer an opportunity to interact with other influential members of the community like business leaders, scientist among others from all around the world. The administration can use these sites to improve team-building skills, create a community of students, teachers and to discuss a specific subject and matters affecting their institutions. Classroom instructional media In a classroom when choosing an instructional media, some factors should be followed like the instructional objectives, use of variety of tools to keep the students interested, and thorough check on the media before usage. Some of the instructional Medias include the use of chalkboards, PowerPoint presentations, and Digital video and clips among others. Besides, technology utilization saves students from taking notes in class as the teachers can send them via email or the students can download the information before class making it easier on the teachers and instructors. However this can be seen to impact on the class attendance. Instructional designers have stated that the use of instructional media in classrooms adds an element of reality making the students more active in participation. They gain the learners attention in the use of pictures and help the students easily retain information that they learnt in class. Medias is used to develop new content and give the students learning objectives of the lessons. The Use of media is to support learning through examples and visual explanation, the performance of the studentsis assessed through questions and the presentations of tasks and projects given in class. This provides an instant feedback of information from the instructors and the students as well (Saettler, 2004).  Most learning situations today have incorporated the use of media in their teaching methods. The Web provides a mode for collaboration for students in different locations on problem solving and learning. The use of these Medias assimilates the social and mental process of learning in understanding information and improves the skills of observation and description. Impacts The use of technology in the classroom increases the student’s concentration level and the students enjoy the class more due to the visual imagery that is presented to them. There is also an improvement in their problem solving skills as compared to the other learners. Studies have shown that in a class environment with technology the students interact more with their peers and students. The students have a better attitude towards school and the teaching methods used in the classes. Educational technology equips the learner with the skill of literacy in many different areas like basic vocabulary, scientific concepts, evaluation of different economic problems, visual ability to interpret images and information and communication literacy and multicultural literacy (Bryan & Day 2008). Teachers are equipped with training on the use of instructional technology in the classroom, this training act as a catalyst in transforming the atmosphere of a classroom to a more inclusive environment for students. The use of instructional technology affects the whole faculty of the institution; the administrators together with the faculty can ensure the full implementation and maximization of the use of technology by learners through articulating the vision and the level of expectations expected from the use of technology in the classes. The use of technology gives the administration an opportunity to develop and appreciate their teachers’ skills (Bryan & Day 2008). Conclusion The ultimate goal of educational technology is to provide efficient education and create learners who are competent in improving the society through successful models of media. The use of educational technology is to help educators and students learn to use their knowledge and skills to determine an effective response to monitor and correct progress. They learn to share and gather information with others through the web. Students learn a variety of technology tools to use for data research and analysis. The faculty and school administrations have a platform to facilitate school communication with its students The use of educational tools exposes the students all over the world to greater and a variety of information and self-help tools that are effective for growth and improvement of skills. The different sources and platforms that a student can interact with their peers create an open-minded group that is accepting to critique leading to high quality research papers. The students also have a stage where they can publish their work or send them to multiple sites for more audiences’ viewers. Hence the use of the rapidly growing use of educational tool is important in enhancing a quality instructional design experience. References: Andersen, P. (2007). What is Web 2.0?: ideas, technologies and implications for education (Vol. 1, No. 1). Bristol, UK: JISC. Bryan, N. R. H., & Day, B. (2008). Impact of instructional technology professional development on teaching practice and student performance.(UNC electronic theses and dissertations collection). Chapel Hill, N.C: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. For Information Technologies in Education. Saettler, L. P. (2004). The evolution of American educational technology. Greenwich, Conn: Information Age Pub. Sclater, N. (2010) Cloud Computing In Education. Moscow: UNESCO Institute White, B., King, I., & Tsang, P. (2011). Social Media Tools and Platforms in Learning Environments. Berlin: Springer Berlin. Wiggins, G. P., & McTighe, J. (2005). Understanding by design. Alexandria, Va: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Read More