I would like to comment on Ubiquitous Learning through Cloud computing

cloud computing - definition

noun

1. the practice of using a network of remote servers hosted on the Internet to store, manage, and process data, rather than a local server or a personal computer.

(source: wikipeadia)

Cloud computing is the delivery of on-demand computing services (from applications to storage and processing power) using the internet either for free or for a fee. The diagram below illustrates how cloud computing work. The services provided (the hardware and applications) are inside the “cloud” and the users use various devices such as a desktop, a laptop, a tablet or a mobile phone to access these services. In the cloud computing concept, the concept behind cloud computing is that the location of the services is remote. The good thing about cloud computing is that the user need not buy or maintain their own computing infrastructure, they just pay as and when they are using it.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/what-is-cloud-computing-everything-you-need-to-know-from-public-and-private-cloud-to-software-as-a/

Diagram on cconcept of cloud computing

(source: By Sam Johnston - Created by Sam Johnston using OmniGroup's OmniGraffle and Inkscape (includes Computer.svg by Sasa Stefanovic) This vector image was created with Inkscape., CC BY-SA 3.0)

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6080417

I have been using Google photos to backup and store my photos from my smartphone. Google gives free storage for a limited capacity. They are accessible I’m using One Drive to store all my documents. My organisation allows me a substantial storage space for my work-related requirements. I can access my photos files or documents any anywhere at any time as long as there is internet connection. At this day and age internet connection is the rule rather than the exception.

On Drive and Google Drive allows us to use several applications such word processing, spreadsheets, presentations online. I think cloud computing is wonderful innovation that drives ubiquitous learning. I am able to share my documents online with my colleagues or vice versa, where we are allowed to edit them. It can be done by several users simultaneously. This is helpful and convenient when we are required to do collaborative work but need not be together in one place. The input of each person is recorded and can be tracked.

I have given my students projects that require them to work in groups where every member must play an active role. By using the One Drive facilities they can share their group’s report and make amendments. I can track and monitor each student’s input into the group report, thus students who are inactive will be given reminders. I think cloud computing has a great potential to be an important platform for the ubiquitous learning environment. Through cloud computing learners like us in this MOOC can access the teaching materials, share our documents, comments and evaluate other students’ work and interact with each other from anywhere at any time.

In a study conducted by Thaiposri & Wannapiroon (2015), they found that teaching and learning by inquiry based learning activities using social network and cloud computing attained the highest level of appropriateness to enhance students’ critical thinking skills.

Reference

1. Patamaporn Thaiposri & Panita Wannapiroon (2015). Enhancing students’ critical thinking skills through teaching and learning by inquiry-based learning activities using social network and cloud computing. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 174 ( 2015 ) 2137 – 2144.

doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.02.013