Using the Cloud in Education

Many different cloud bloggers and experts have looked at the benefits of the cloud and the different ways it can be used. More often than not the focus is put on how the cloud can be used effectively in business settings. There are, however, a wide range of different settings in which the cloud may be an extremely useful choice. Arguably one of the most important is the education sector. The integration of technology into most facets of our lives has changed the way that we learn and interact with each other. By embracing technology the education sector can move forward and develop in ways that are beneficial to students and to schools in general. Making use of cloud services can be hugely advantageous to schools and can improve and extend the levels of education that they offer.

The cloud can be used in a variety of ways in schools, universities and colleges. It can provide storage for large quantities of data and software and infrastructure can be provided on demand through software-as-a-service (SaaS) and infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) solutions. Instead of having to install email software on every computer, for example, students and staff can use browser-based cloud email clients. Servers and processing power can also be organised by cloud services provider and do not have to be kept in house. Aside from the different types of services and products available in the cloud, there are a number of advantages to utilising the cloud in the education sector.

An important benefit that is particularly useful to schools and educational institutes is the functionality for high levels of collaboration. Many cloud-based document and presentation creation programmes offer users the opportunity to collaborate with others in real-time. Some applications allow as many as 50 users to work together on a document at one time! The cloud can help students to work together on group projects and can also be used by teachers and administrative staff for planning and organisational tasks.

One of the main reasons for the popularity of the cloud is its accessibility. You can access your data, files and applications from anywhere, as long as you have an internet connection. This flexibility allows students to work in the same way they would at school while they are doing their homework at home - they will have access to all the same resources and applications that they would use at school. The ability to access learning resources while away from the school can also be useful when on school trips. When visiting a museum, for example, students can take in the sights and exhibits but can work on projects while they are still there - not the day or week after when they may have forgotten much of what they have seen.

The money saving element of using cloud services can be very beneficial to schools and colleges. Instead of having to buy new software (and in some cases, hardware) and the individual licences for tens or hundreds of laptops or PCs the cloud can offer a pay as you go price plan and can reduce the need for individual licensing. Even swapping to cloud-based servers can help to save money and can cut the price of electricity bills. With a cloud solution the main expense is simply the broadband connection, which most schools will already have in place. Choosing the cloud can also be a positive move in terms of the environment as work can be shared without the need to use reams and reams of paper.

As well as providing an environment where students can produce work and collaborate with others, the cloud is a great option for data storage. Educational resources can be kept in the cloud and accessed when they are required by students. Parents and the wider school community can also be kept in the loop and can access news, contact details and general information about the school from the cloud. The cloud has 'information durability' and any information stored in the cloud will stay there for as long as it is needed. The cloud can also be a good place to centrally, and securely, store important data. Doing this can reduce the threat of sensitive or confidential data falling into the wrong hands if a laptop or USB stick is stolen.

Some schools may worry about the complexity of setting up and maintaining a cloud solution, but with the cloud much of that burden is undertaken by the cloud provider. Much of the maintenance and updating of cloud services is carried out by the provider. This will likely include providing the licensing, updating the software and applications and managing the security. Using the cloud can reduce the cost of maintenance and the burdens placed on in-house IT staff.

The cloud can be useful for non-traditional education requirements. Students that need to have an absence from school for a period of time can easily stay up to date and up to speed with their classwork. People wanting to learn new skills can do so through the cloud as can students from overseas or who have gone overseas and want to continue their education. Adults who dropped out of school or who never got their qualifications can use the cloud to complete courses over the internet.

The cloud effectively can provide a 'virtual classroom' from anywhere and at any time. It can provide great opportunities for collaboration and interaction between students. The financial considerations are also important - using cloud services can be a money saving option. When budgets become tight, as they are bound to do in recent economic climates, schools should not look immediately to cutting IT spending. Instead they should be looking into alternate options, like the cloud, that can not only save money but can improve students' learning experiences. As the world changes and technology advances, it is important that schools can keep pace and not put their students at a disadvantage when they leave. The cloud will likely become an integral part of how we teach and learn in the very near future.

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