A teacher's Guide to Cloud Computing - part2

Part 2 - Cloud Computing Explained

Cloud computing is Internet based use of computer technology. The word cloud is used as a metaphor for the Internet. Cloud computing is also synonymous with the phrase "Software as a Service (SaaS)". With cloud computing you are using the technology without knowledge or control over the infrastructure. You don't purchase software, but instead use a service that is installed on a server computer.

To explain cloud computing using another example, we'll go back many years. When electricity was first invented, companies had to generate their own electricity. When utility companies and municipal electric service came into existence, companies now could tap into the electric that was provided and not generate their own. All they have to provide is a way to tap into this shared electric service.

Cloud computer treats computer applications and documents that same as this electric model. Companies (or schools) don't have to provide their own computer applications or places to store them. They can tap into the document storage and applications of the Internet. All they have to provide is the means to tap into the service.

Cloud computing is an emerging technology where data -- documents, messages, photographs, computer programs (word processing and spreadsheets) are stored out in the Internet and not on an individual's computer. Cloud computing simply needs an internet connection to work. If you have to install new hardware or new software then it isn’t cloud computing.

Ray Ozzie, chief software architect at Microsoft, is quoted as saying "We're going to look back at this era and wonder how we did without this other kind of computer in the clouds". (J.
Nicholas Hoover, A Stake in The Cloud (Informationweek, 2008) 22. ) He is working to revamp the architecture of programs at Microsoft to take advantage of cloud computing technology. Windows and office, two of Microsoft's most important programs, will change to take advantage of cloud computing. According to Information week: "the next version of Office will offer a browser-based option
so users can read and edit documents online as well as the ability for users to collaborate using Web, mobile and client version of office."

Michael Nelson, a professor at Georgetown University is quoted assaying, "Cloud computing is going to change the way we do computing and not in 10 years... but in 4 or 5. " ("Google D.C. Talks:

Cloud Computing." Google Video. Online video clip. Youtube.com
Accessed on 04 November . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVb41AVL05k )

The Pew Research Center published a Data Memo in September 2008. In the memo they cite the following statistics:

CLOUD COMPUTING ACTIVITIES

Internet users who do the following online activities (%)

Use Webmail Services such as Hotmail, gmail, or Yahoo! mail	56%
Store personal photos online	34%
Use online applications such as Google Documents or Adobe Photoshop Express	29%
Store personal videos online	7%
Pay to store computer files online	5%
Back up hard drive to an online site	5%

Source: "Use of Cloud Computing Applications and Services", John B. Horrigan, Pew Internet and American Life Project, Pew Research Center, September 2008.

So cloud computing is coming... next we'll explore how it can benefit K-12 Institutions.