7 Things You Should Know About Cloud Computing

1. What is it?

Cloud computing refers to anytime / anywhere accessibility to applications and data. Unlike traditional computing where programs are installed and files are stored on a single machine used by a single user, cloud computing offers easier access and collaboration on projects. A common distinction may be the difference between using an email client to check email like Outlook versus an online email program like Hotmail, Yahoo!, or Gmail. Using Outlook requires access to a specific computer and may only be checked at that computer whereas Gmail allows access to email from any internet-capable device.

2. Who's doing it?

Besides tons of effort and energy being placed by companies like Microsoft, IBM, Google, and Amazon to better understand and leverage cloud computing, Ohio State is also making an effort to use cloud computing techniques for teaching and learning. For instance, Carmen, CarmenWiki, MediaManager, and Streaming Services all provide common uses of cloud computing needs.  Ohio State University Students currently have access to cloud hosted Microsoft Office applications and 20 GB of Skydrive storage space through their Buckeye Mail accounts.

3. How does it work?

Rather than relying upon a specific computer to generate and share information, cloud computing uses servers connected to the Internet to run Web applications allowing for the creation and dissemination of information across the Internet or network. This allows access to the programs and information from any Internet connection.

4. Why is it significant?

By moving content out from limited access (i.e., a person's personal computer), opportunities for collaboration and dissemination of knowledge is gained. For educational institutions, this knowledge sharing is paramount.

5. What are the downsides?

Two major drawbacks are privacy and security, which are especially important in today's educational culture and from laws such as FERPA and copyright. Authentication and owning the servers from which programs are run and files are stored is an important step toward mitigating these drawbacks. Also with so many distinct locations and authentication thresholds to pass, tracking content based on media type rather than concept may be difficult.

Additionally, in light of events with T-Mobile's sidekick users, storage of data and information is hosted by someone else, thus failures and loss of information may occur.

6. Where is it going?

With the proliferation of broadband and speedy mobile connections, cloud computing applications and use will continue to grow, likely through mobile app and virtual world media.

7. What are the implications for teaching?

Cloud computing has the potential to change how we store, find, and manipulate information. It may become important for today's educators and students to know more about media affordances...or Marshall McLuhan's notion of medium is the message. This also increases the ease for group collaboration and always working on the final draft of items.