Cloud Computing

When I began this assignment, I was not familiar with cloud computing. However, after reviewing the material, I was intrigued by the topic. “The cloud is the term for networked computers that distribute processing power, applications, and large systems among many machines” (2009 Horizon Report: The K-12 edition). However, I was not aware that I use these services everyday.

YouTube is an application that allows users to post and view videos over the internet. In my opinion, this service has revolutionized the internet, and instructional videos. In this course for example, videos are posted on the class wiki (like the one on cloud computing this week) for us to view. This is a great tool for educational environments because teachers can easily post videos allowing their students to view them from home. Also, teachers could record their lectures and place them on YouTube for absent, or distance learning students to view.

Google also uses the cloud as it’s platform (2009 Horizon Report: The K-12 edition). It seems like everyone is using Google to share information, email, research scholarly articles, or any of its other seemingly endless uses. In an educational environment, students and teachers can use the Google Scholar function to research scholarly writings. They can use Google Talk to communicate with each other. Or, search Google to find another students email address.

There are also cloud based applications like Splashup or JayCut that make it easy to edit photos or videos (2009 Horizon Report: The K-12 edition). This would be beneficial for a student who is studying visual arts to edit their work for class. Instructors who post video lectures, pictures, or other interactive media online for students to view.

Blogging & Twittering

Prior to this week’s readings, I was not all that familiar with blogging. However, I did have a twitter account previously, and do again. But, I never considered it a “micro-blog”; I always thought of it more like a facebook status. After learning more about the topic, I guess they are both “micro-blogs”. I have learned that both of these tools (blogging and twittering) can be used in some academic settings.

Blogs and micro-blogs can be beneficial in an academic setting. Students can create a blog relatively quickly, and with a little effort they can post their writings and ideas for their teacher and other class members to view. As discussed in the 2010 Horizon Report, this also allows students and teachers to work collaboratively in an online environment more effectively. Blogs can enrich the learning environment, especially in courses with a pure distance learning platform. In these courses, it can be difficult to develop a relationship with the instructor and other students while completing your assignments. Blogs make it possible for students to express their thoughts, reflections, and opinions on readings, and assignments. Blogs benefit teachers by making the learning environment mobile. Teachers can post their lectures, and ideas about material over the internet to provide a platform for students to access the material 24/7 from remote locations.

As discussed in the 2009 Horizon Report, schools are beginning to embrace instant messengers and micro-blogging as a learning tool and not a distraction. For example, I coach wrestling for a local school system. This season one of our coaches created a Twitter account to notify wrestlers and parents of practice schedules, cancellations, upcoming matches, etc. Some teachers are now accessing micro-blogging applications that allow them to send communications to their students. I plan to follow a few networks on Twitter. The first I plan to follow is Judy Lambert. I would like to get information on the course and I know I will do so by following her. I also plan to follow Michigan Football, because I am a fan.