Journal # 8

Doug, j. (2010). Computing in the clouds. Learning and leading with education, 37(4), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/LLIssues/Volume3720092010/DecemberJanuaryNo4/Computing_in_the_Clouds.htm

"Computing in the Clouds" was a great article about free programs for teachers to use with their students and for themselves. California is in a major budget crisis and our schools are seeing the negative effects. Programs have been cut, sports eliminated and students are the ones who are suffering. Cloud computing is one thing that can help technology to stay in the curriculum for no cost to the schools. Students can use google documents to collaborate in real time over the internet, or they can use online storage spots so they do not have to purchase a zip drive. This ensures that students do not loose their work and the great news is that its free!!!

What happens if there is no internet access?

When there is no internet google docs can still be accessed. There are other programs however they need to have internet access in order to be used. This will not be a problem for most schools because they have internet, but for those people that don’t, there are free places you can go to get internet access. The city libraries, Starbucks and Panera bread all have free internet access at their locations for the public to use.

What different things can be done under cloud computing?

Email, web searching and bookmarking, word processing presentations and spreadsheets, photo storage and editing, webpage editing and web mastering and school specific tasks. Google mail is a free email service. Delicious is a free bookmarking cite that can be embedded on your personal blog sit that is also free on blogger.com. PowerPoint, excel and Microsoft spread sheets are all free on doogle.com. Photo bucket is a free storage site for photos. You can also make grade books, do accounting and web based management systems.