C-+Cloud+Computing

Cloud computing- What is it? How can we use it personally and with students?

Additional question - If we give students access to the cloud how do we keep them from checking Facebook instead of doing their work? Brendan

So my understanding of the cloud is that the programs you want are stored and accessed on the cloud not on your computor. This allows you to access programs faster than having to wait for an IT person to download. Furthering that, not only programs but the files created from them are in central locations for access anywhere.

It is something performs as a data-based storage place. Connected among computers and other internet-accessable devices, cloud computing allows users to upload and download information from it. Such as, Dropbox, iCloud. I use these two tools often. To use it personally, such as iCloud, you have your account verified by username and password. Dropbox can be used personally and collectively. To use it collectively one just need to shared the folder with others. ---Catherine

I can personally use it when I collaborate with others on a project. We are using Dropbox now and it is working great to share our work. The question that I have regarding the cloud is, is the work that I am storing on the cloud still mine or does it now belong to Dropbox or whichever application or program I am using? --I think the work are still yours. They should have private policy that they don't have the right to take users information. They act only as a platform for storage. However, does it company really keep its promise? We don't know and seems that we don't have a way to find out. (Catherine)

So, by saying that you can access programs faster than having an IT person download it, you have access to programs that are not on your computer currently?

I have learned that to store info on the cloud you need to upload it to the cloud. To retrieve information you download it from the cloud. The advantage to storing onf the cloud is that your data will be preserved and not lost with the crashing of your computer or the loss of hard drives and additional external storage devices. I have personally uploaded my digital photos as a back up to the storage devices I have at home. I understand my data on cloud can be accessed anytime, anywhere from any computer. I plan on using Cloud when I travel to Europe so I don't need to worry about carrying a USB stick or wonder what will happen if my tablet is stolen. My daughter uses cloud computing at school for collaborative projects. (Yvonne)

Yes, but where does it go and who has access to it (e.g. Homeland Security Act)