The word cloud is used to symbolize ‘the internet’; so cloud computing means internet-based computing. Cloud computing ensures that services are available through mass devices and computers through the internet. It allows the sharing of storage, college papers, servers and applications accessed virtually in a scalable and secure manner on shared systems. Education is important for the growth of the economy, there is a need to change classroom teaching to be more technology oriented. Incorporating the latest technologies for learning and teaching, especially the prevailing cloud computing. It is important for the education system to adopt the most essential tools for greater productivity from the teachers, students, staff and the faculty.
Implementation of cloud computing
It allows access of data via the internet by multiple users. The teachers can upload tests, tutorials, and assignments which all the students can access via electronic devices at home or in college. Cloud computing makes it easy for teachers to analyze their students by their study records and know which study materials and methods to improve on. Students get to review lessons using online teaching materials.
The importance of cloud computing for education
1. Smooth mergers
Learning institutions need to share information between one to another. It takes time to share information and sometimes it never happens. Transmission of such information is easy and fast with the systems in the cloud. This makes it easy to share learning materials across institutions because they are conjoined to access cloud-based systems.
2. Reduced costs
The use of new technologies is accelerating at reduced costs. Cloud-based services meet the educational needs by installing updated applications which the students can use without paying extra for them. For some applications students and teachers pay as they use them. Students and teachers install their devices with the latest applications. The software-as-a-service (Saas) model of cloud computing is one such program with free accessible applications.
3. Personalized learning
Students get choices in their learning that is offered by cloud computing. Students get a wide range of software tools and resources that suit different learning styles. Computing has digital tools that favor students who find customary training frameworks not favorable for them. It reaches each student individually.
4. No extra infrastructure
It has become easy for colleges and schools to offer learning and research facilities to students without having to invest in buildings, teachers, and labs among others. Learning institutions have more time to focus on their goals.
5. Collaborative work
Cloud computing makes it easy for students to access learning materials 24 X 7. Students get well-arranged labs, notes and slides to make their training much more effective. Improves the quality of data shared across the computers. Everyone in the institution can access information. Interdepartmental collaboration is enhanced by the sharing of documents which can be edited at the same time by different people is made possible.
6. Access to work from home
Teachers are able to work way after work hours or before work hours. Due to the classes they handle in a day it is a challenge to complete all the work during the day, some tasks like formatting homework assignments, grading tests and planning for upcoming lessons. It is convenient for teachers to be able to work in the comfort of their homes and it becomes easy for them to focus on class work.
7. User-friendly
The cloud computing services are not complicated at all. They are easy to understand and operate.
8. Accountability
Learning institutions easily provide indicators and evidence of academic improvement and academic quality. It is easy for the administrator to access this information by logging into the system. Coding and grading of students are easy.
9. Security
Everything stored in the cloud needs verification before access. This means that data, pictures, content, and information is secure and is not accessible by just anybody. You can read more about Cloud Computing Security.
10. Easy to update
Unlike the customary way of learning where corrections and developments have to be done individually for cloud computing, it just needs an update on the main system and it is done for everybody.