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.

First Report from the Campus of Excellence

I´ve been on the Canary Islands since Sunday attending the Campus of Excellence. It is a well-named event. Yesterday I learned particle physics from Dr. Jerome Friedman. He has won a Nobel prize in Physics. Far from being too brainy for me, he made the subject clear and understandable. It was like learning how to read music from a rock star!


Here I am with Dr. Friedman.

Today I had breakfast with a NASA Astronaut. Michael López-Alegría joined us at our table and then later gave us a talk about living in the Space Station. Incredible.

I´ll post more later.. This afternoon I´m exploring the $100 laptop!

Port Jefferson on a Spring Day

My class walked around Port Jefferson and took some photographs. We explored Picasa and I posted this collage to my blog in about 5 minutes. Lots of fun.

If you haven't downloaded Picasa from the Google website, you should. Google is creating many free tools for educators to use.

Final Project for EST 582

For this semester's class - System Approach to Human-Machine Systems, we studied how machines are engineered and how ergonomics and marketing play major roles. I enjoyed the class much more than I though I would. Here is my final project:



I compiled my research using Google Documents, so here is a link to that.

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgzd86sp_12dchk32hf

My master's thesis concerns Web 2.0 technology in K-12 Schools. I decided to use some of those tools (Youtube, Blogs, Shared Online documents) to present this project.

Video showing Highlights of Last Year's Campus of Excellence

I found this video on Youtube that shows last year's Campus of Excellence



As the time before the conference grows shorter, I'm getting excited to go.

What to do with a Wiki.

In each of my classes we've discussed Wikis. The professors for my college classes love them. One went so far as to set up a classroom Wiki and had each of us set up an account at wikispaces. We didn't use any of it. I thought only worthwhile Wiki was Wikipedia.

So I was please to stumble upon this Wiki. Rock, Write, and listen is a wonderful educational Wiki space that was used for a Rock and Roll class. I'm impressed. I'm planning on incorporating some ideas from this great Wiki for my school.

Thank you, Dr-Haiken! Great Job.

The Campus of Excellence

WOO HOO!! I've been selected by Stony Brook University to participate in the 2008 El Campus de Excelencia, organized by the University of Las Palmas. The University is located on the Canary Islands! We'll be going for a week in June.

The purpose of the Conference is to provide a meeting point for young people to present their innovative and feasible projects to the world's leaders in scientific, cultural, political, economic and business knowledge.

Focus will be placed on promoting the exchange of knowledge in the following areas: Health and Welfare, Eco-innovation, Education and Technology, Economy and Cooperation for Development, and Entrepreneurs and Business.

The events covers a broad spectrum: from Plenary Panels and Simultaneous Forums to Press Symposiums, University Seminars and Poster Sessions.

Thanks to the Campus of Excellence, we will have the amazing opportunity of sharing face-to-face meetings with the most prodigious thinkers today, including a large delegation of Nobel Laureates.

<http://www.campusdeexcelencia.org> Is the link to the site. I have to get going on my project. I'm focusing on Web 2.0 technologies in K-12 Education. I'll keep you posted.