Johnson, D. (2010, January/February). Commuting in the clouds. Learning and Leading with Technology,37(4), Retrieved from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/200912#pg20
Summary
"Commuting in the Clouds" is an article regarding how to use web-based programs versus the software programs we are so use to today. The author, Doug Johnson, brings up numerous valid points as to why it is more beneficial and, at the top of the list, is that it is free! Along with the benefit of no cost, web-based programs are also more convenient because you can access them from any computer in the world, there are no concerns about whether or not you saved the document in the right version, and it allows others to work together collaboratively. Using the web-based programs also, in terms of education, would allow schools to use less powerful computers that are less expensive; again saving the school systems money. Johnson explains that he converted to a netbook (the less powerful computers) for a few months to see if the whole idea was really doable. Converting for Johnson worked smoothly and nicely. He justifies cloud commuting saying that the internet, email, word processing and presentation programs all worked just as well as a normal computer. His final thought is basically, what are we all waiting for?
Q#1- How do schools get started?
I think that right now schools should start familiarizing their teachers, staff, and students with the google docs and other web-based programs. Even if Microsoft office is still on the computers at the schools currently, teachers and students should stop using them and just migrate towards the clouds. As computers die and schools look into getting new ones they should seriously consider buying netbooks. Netbooks are clearly less expensive and by that point the students and all other staff members would be "cloud savvy" and ready to make the adjustment.
Q#2- What is one way I could use it in the classroom?
To start I would have all students compose their work on google docs. It is advantageous for students to actually use google docs at school so that when they go to their homes they have the option of working on their assignments. That is to say, they are not limited to fixing things and making progress when they are only at school. I would also like to form some kind of group project or group report where the students would have to use google docs, for example, to work together when they are not together in the classroom. Both of these ideas of introducing web-based programs to the students allows them to become familiar with all the perks that web-based programs have to offer and hopefully encourage them to use it in the future.
No comments:
Post a Comment