Connected Behind the Clouds - Educational Clouds for Distance Learning

August 9, 2011 - 8:05pm | by Anonymous
Presenter(s)
Enoch Park (Pfeiffer University, US)
Duane Dunston (Pfeiffer University, US)
Session Information
November 10, 2011 - 1:40pm
Track: 
Technology and Emerging Learning Environments
Areas of Special Interest: 
Innovative Blends; Practical Application
Institutional Level: 
Universities and Four Year Institutions
Audience Level: 
All
Session Type: 
Information Session
Location: 
Southern Hemisphere V
Session Duration: 
35 Minutes
Concurrent Session: 
8
Abstract

This session will introduce and demonstrate various cloud-based solutions to facilitate student-faculty/ peer students collaboration in online/blended learning environments. Based on a simple analysis of the nature of the course activities, instructors can choose solutions including cloud-based resource repository, virtual meetings, teleconferencing, and mobile connection with the course members.

Extended Abstract

Beyond the campus classroom infrastructures, an increasing number of services are offered by means of cloud computing. Cloud-based services allow students to save, access, synchronize, and share various resources online. The presenters will review cloud solutions at various levels, such as campus-wide adoption of commercial services, community clouds, institutional/ private clouds, as well as mobile integration. Since cloud solutions are offered via network, distance students and faculty do take the benefits. Examples of cloud implementation, such as cloud based repository, communication, virtual lab, and license deployments will be shared. On the other hand, not all cloud services are suitable for all situation. This presentation will discuss some of the concerns that must be addressed when looking at cloud services including: security; privacy; integration and loss of control. An invitation for open discussion with session participants will be solicited throughout the presentation in an effort to create a cloud computing "body of knowledge" pertaining to best practice examples for distance and/or blended learning, as well as potential pitfalls and strategies for avoiding them.

Presenter 1 Email: 
dl@fsmail.pfeiffer.edu