Harnessing Cloud Computing Services for E-Learning Systems in Higher Education

Author(s):  
Abderrahim El Mhouti ◽  
Mohamed Erradi

The use of e-learning suggests the use of ICT to enhance the quality of learning and teaching. However, many higher education institutions, does not have e-learning platforms, resources and infrastructure necessary to implement this type of training. This is due to the need for high cost of basic infrastructure and applications challenges related projects it has to face. This article puts forward an overview on what is the current state of the use of cloud computing in e-learning in higher education context, where the use of computers is increasingly intensive. The article analyzes e-learning systems challenges and trends, the convenience of cloud computing for e-learning and the key benefits of e-learning on the cloud. The article exposes also some application solutions using cloud computing in e-learning for higher education, by presenting the most common architecture that has been adopted. Finally, this article discusses issues related to the implementation of cloud-based e-learning systems and presents some potential ways to overcome them.

Author(s):  
Abderrahim El Mhouti ◽  
Mohamed Erradi

The use of e-learning suggests the use of ICT to enhance the quality of learning and teaching. However, many higher education institutions, does not have e-learning platforms, resources and infrastructure necessary to implement this type of training. This is due to the need for high cost of basic infrastructure and applications challenges related projects it has to face. This article puts forward an overview on what is the current state of the use of cloud computing in e-learning in higher education context, where the use of computers is increasingly intensive. The article analyzes e-learning systems challenges and trends, the convenience of cloud computing for e-learning and the key benefits of e-learning on the cloud. The article exposes also some application solutions using cloud computing in e-learning for higher education, by presenting the most common architecture that has been adopted. Finally, this article discusses issues related to the implementation of cloud-based e-learning systems and presents some potential ways to overcome them.


Author(s):  
Melissa S. Martin ◽  
Rachel E. Hugues ◽  
Alison Puliatte

Generation Z students are inherently different than previous generations. These students may need adapted forms of instruction in order to match their learning styles. Collaborative learning can be adapted using cloud-computing, which helps students work together online and manage their interactions. These students may benefit from a technological twist to a common instructional strategy and are inclined to use online means of communication to complete coursework. Technology has dominated the educational experiences of these students and they are no strangers to collaborative work through e-learning platforms. Higher education institutions and instructors must develop the format of courses in order to meet the technological learning preferences of Generation Z.


2019 ◽  
pp. 459-469
Author(s):  
Alan S. Weber

This chapter describes effective strategic analysis and implementation methods for the adoption of cloud computing services (infrastructure, platforms, and software) in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education. The benefits of cloud computing, including lower costs, scalability and virtualization capabilities, have been recognized and adopted by major educational, governmental and research institutions internationally during the last five years. However, the term ‘cloud computing' was only recently clarified in 2011 in the NIST's standard definition published by Mell and Grance (2012) as “a model for enabling ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications, and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction.” Despite the increasing clarity in defining cloud computing, the deployment models can be complex, encompassing hybrid, public, community and private cloud frameworks, all with varying levels of privacy, security, and trust. Data format, integrity, and portability as well as geographical server location represent additional factors that educational institutions must weigh when they consider adopting a cloud solution for their educational needs. The chapter provides advice on how to strategically plan for the use of cloud computing services and how to identify, weigh and assess the various factors in decision-making. Just as with e-learning when it was found at the end of the 1990s that purely online technological approaches were not as effective as pedagogical models (blended learning) which took into account human factors such as student motivation, teacher training, technological illiteracy, etc., the author suggests that a holistic technology adoption process that includes needs assessment and stakeholder engagement will be the most successful.


Author(s):  
Alan S. Weber

This chapter describes effective strategic analysis and implementation methods for the adoption of cloud computing services (infrastructure, platforms, and software) in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education. The benefits of cloud computing, including lower costs, scalability and virtualization capabilities, have been recognized and adopted by major educational, governmental and research institutions internationally during the last five years. However, the term ‘cloud computing' was only recently clarified in 2011 in the NIST's standard definition published by Mell and Grance (2012) as “a model for enabling ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications, and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction.” Despite the increasing clarity in defining cloud computing, the deployment models can be complex, encompassing hybrid, public, community and private cloud frameworks, all with varying levels of privacy, security, and trust. Data format, integrity, and portability as well as geographical server location represent additional factors that educational institutions must weigh when they consider adopting a cloud solution for their educational needs. The chapter provides advice on how to strategically plan for the use of cloud computing services and how to identify, weigh and assess the various factors in decision-making. Just as with e-learning when it was found at the end of the 1990s that purely online technological approaches were not as effective as pedagogical models (blended learning) which took into account human factors such as student motivation, teacher training, technological illiteracy, etc., the author suggests that a holistic technology adoption process that includes needs assessment and stakeholder engagement will be the most successful.


2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 37-45
Author(s):  
Nanag Kurnia Wahab

Cloud Computing is a technology that has powerful computing resources that can be applied to many organizations with the use of dynamic scalability as a source of virtual services via the internet. Utilizing cloud-based application services offered by providers allows users to conduct business processes or information system services in the form of applications that can be accessed anywhere, anytime by stakeholders of higher education institutions. The application of a Knowledge Management System is a strategic information system that can improve competitiveness for higher education institutions. The use of cloud computing services can improve cost efficiency and IT infrastructure management processes in accordance with the standard IT implementation strategies of higher education institutions.


Author(s):  
Pooja Gupta

Educating the digitally literate generation is a privilege and a challenge because this generation is exposed to enormous proliferation of affordable computers, Internet and digital education content. With the advancements in technology, there is a definite improvement in learning methods; similarly performance assessment, career preparation and credential documentation should also be driven by technology. An e-portfolio is a tool for teaching, learning and assessment. The purpose of the e-portfolio is to highlight the student's best work. Current e-portfolio systems pose problems of scalability and sustainability, as they provide limited user storage space in a centralized server. With the rapid use of multimedia, there is a drastic increase in storage load imposed by any user on the e-portfolio system. Cloud computing can provide e-portfolio service that can be delivered to a higher education community. An e-portfolio service provided by cloud computing (c-portfolio) can be accessed from a standalone system. The c-portfolio can also be accessed from local servers of an educational institute, or from a third-party service provider that is accessed via the Internet. Such cloud computing services allow users to share their c-portfolios with anyone, anywhere and at anytime. This chapter defines and categorizes c-portfolio, addresses issues and challenges faced by c-portfolio's implementation in higher education.


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