Cloud Computing for K-12 Schools

I’m working to change the way school do their work. In the 12 years that I’ve been a technology director, we’ve followed the same model for documents:

1. A software program is loaded on the computer
2. The student types their work into the program
3. A file is created and the work is stored on a local storage device (hard drive, floppy disk, flash drive)

There are several problems with this system.

Where’s my file? If the student is working on a different computer than yesterday, they don’t have access to that work. Students lose floppy disks, flash drives and then their work is gone.

What format is my file in? If the student works in MS Works at home and brings the document in to school, he can’t open it. At school we have standardized on Microsoft Word. We are also running word version 2003, so if a student is working on a higher version at home, there is a need for a “compatibility patch” to be installed on the computer at school.

Unfair access is common. If a student has a computer at home, they can bring their work home on a CD, flash drive or floppy disk. If a student doesn’t have a computer, they don’t have that option. Bringing work to a public library doesn’t guarantee that the software necessary to open the file is available.

The new model that we are trying to implement is called “cloud computing”. In theory work goes into the “clouds”.

Here is the new model using Google Docs:

• An academic account is set up at Google.com. Each educational institution can apply for a few account with 500 user accounts

No advertisements

7,000 MB of storage for each Student

• Accounts are set up for each student and teacher.
• Computers need Internet access but no other software need to be installed.
• Students log into their Google account and work is typed into their account. The documents, spreadsheets and presentations are saved in their Internet account.

Advantages to this system:

Cost – No software licenses need to be purchased.

Accessibility – Student can access their work from any computer with an internet connection

Compatibility – Since no software is required, the problems creating a document with one program and typing to open it with another is eliminated. Google documents can be saved as files in the following formats:

• HTML
• PDF
• DOC (MS OFFICE)
• TXT (plain Text)
• RFT (rich text)
• Open office

Sharing and collaborating

By putting the documents online, the student can share or publish them. This opens up group projects, collaboration and peer review. The students can publish their work for anyone on the Internet to see.

Here is a video on the sharing aspects of Google Docs.

We are working to implement the change at my school district. I will continue to post as the project moves forward. I'd love to hear your comments on using Google Docs in education.