Cloud-Based Applications

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2008 Horizon.au Short List

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Time-to-Adoption Horizon: One Year or Less

Time-to-Adoption Horizon: Two to Three Years

Time-to-Adoption Horizon: Four to Five Years

Critical Challenges

Key Trends

Time-to-Adoption: One Year or Less

The emergence of server-side productivity applications such as Google Docs (http://docs.google.com), Google Apps (http://www.google.com/a), and Zoho Office (http://www.zoho.com) is beginning to change the way we think about software and files. Web services like Flickr (http://www.flickr.com), YouTube (http://www.youtube.com), and Blogger (http://www.blogger.com), as well as a host of other browser-based applications, comprise a set of increasingly powerful, often free tools that run from, and store data on, remote servers instead of local computers. Documents and other content created with these tools are easily sharable — not only via distribution of the finished work, but also through collaboration within a work group during creation. Applications such as those from Google easily import from and export to standard desktop file formats.

While direct applications for teaching and learning have not yet emerged, this set of technologies is clearly an enabling force in the mix, and could distribute applications across a wider set of devices that are browser-enabled and greatly reduce the overall cost of computing. In addition, the ease of groupwork and collaboration at a distance could be a benefit applicable to many learning situations.

Relevance for Teaching, Learning & Creative Expression

  • Cloud-based applications can provide students and teachers with free or low-cost alternatives to expensive, proprietary productivity tools.
  • Browser-based applications are accessible for a variety of computer and even mobile platforms, making these tools available anywhere the Internet can be accessed.
  • The shared infrastructure approaches imbedded in the cloud computing concept offers considerable potential for large scale experiments and research that can make use of untapped processing power.

Examples

  • Macquarie University has adopted the education edition of Google Apps and given each student a Gmail account: http://www.pr.mq.edu.au/events/archive.asp?ItemID=3118
  • Waikato University and the University of Auckland are using Google Apps for email and productivity applications across campus:

http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/software/soa/Largest-NZ-uni-picks-Google-Apps/0,130061733,339290511,00.htm?feed=pt_cloud_computing

For Further Reading

Computing Heads for the Clouds
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/nov2007/tc20071116_379585.htm
(Aaron Ricadela, BusinessWeek, 16 November 2007.) This article defines cloud computing and describes ways it is in use by IBM, Yahoo!, and Google.

Defogging Cloud Computing: A Taxonomy
http://refresh.gigaom.com/2008/06/16/defogging-cloud-computing-a-taxonomy/
(Michael Crandell, Refresh the Net, 16 June 2008.) This blog post includes a description of the layers of cloud computing: applications, platforms, and infrastructure.

Down on the Server Farm
http://www.economist.com/business/displaystory.cfm?story_id=11413148
(The Economist, 22 May 2008.) This article describes the infrastructure of Internet computing and its implications for the future.

Cloud Computing Special
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/backgroundbriefing/stories/2008/2359128.htm
Special featured on Australia's Radio National. [LB]



Sandbox Discussion (July-August 2008)

The emergence of server-side productivity applications such as Google Docs, Google Mail, and Zoho Office is beginning to change the way we think about software and files. Web services like Flickr groups, YouTube, and Blogger, as well as a host of other browser-based applications, add to the set of tools that run from, and store data on, remote servers instead of local computers. The entire Internet becomes our desktop as we create, edit, and share media of all kinds, using a wide variety of online tools.


Why is this topic relevant to teaching, learning or creative expression?

  • Provides students (and teachers) access for free to web-based productivity tools that up to now have been proprietary.
  • Enables ability to use apps from any location, and eventually from portable devices (Google Apps on iPhone now).
  • More than apps, content, information "in the cloud" can be aggregated, mixed, and re-ananlyzed to produce new results (use as a research tool) and offers the sharing of media and data.
  • Teachers/learners are able to select appropriate applications fit for purpose rather be limited to a smaller number of 'standard' applications served up because costs associated with licences provide constraints.
  • Many applications browser based, so will be available for multiple devices (eg portable) and hence mulitple locations.
  • Opportunity to reduce 'digital divide' by making applications more open and accessible to all.
  • Cloud computing associated with high performance computers may mean shared infrastructure for research, large scale experiments
  • Cloud computing encourages collaborative development of ideas and products. Helps to break down silos of expertise.
  • to reduce the IT department's capacity to hinder teaching and learning (PM) Can't agree with this comment. I think it may reflect a personal experience. Some IT departments actively support teaching and learning, for example make this technology available to all, and actually lead the way. Not relevant here.

'


  • list your thoughts here [LJ]

Please list links to local or international projects that are experimenting with or implementing this technology.

  • Largest NZ uni picks Google Apps (ZDNet Australia) "New Zealand's largest university, the University of Auckland, today revealed it would roll out Google's online email and office suite to its 50,000 students, staff and alumni... The University of Auckland is the second university in New Zealand to reveal plans to use Google Apps after Waikato University, which moved 25,000 students to the service earlier this year." http://tinyurl.com/6naxf4
  • Extra storage as students go Gmail "Google partner SMS Management and Technology has emerged as the leading bidder to supply the NSW Department of Education with 1.5 million student email services using a customised version of the search giant's Gmail service, Acting NSW Minister for Education and Training John Hatzistergos said." http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,23910997-15306,00.html


  • "Digital learning communities" http://www.mashedlc.edu.au/ Please note a draft report has been has been provided to the Australian Learning and Teaching Council and could be supplied for limited circulation prior to finalisation by contacting elizabeth.mcdonald@altc.edu.au The report contains interesting statistical data from over 2,700 students in relation to the use of social networking, wikis, blogs, video sharing, photo sharing music networking and social bookmarking.

Please provide links to any local or international reports, papers, or articles that either help define the topic, or that provide detailed information about it.

  • WikiPedia Definition: Cloud computing is a broad concept of using the internet to allow people to access technology-enabled services[1]. It is a style of computing where IT-related capabilities are provided “as a service” using Internet technologies to multiple external customers[2]. It allows users to consume services without knowledge of, expertise with, nor control over the technology infrastructure that supports them[3]. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_computing

Please add any other information that may be helpful to the staff as they write up this topic.

  • Apple's entry into the area has mixed reviews. Mossberg writes that "If Apple does get MobileMe working smoothly, it could be a terrific service. But it's way too ragged now." in the Wall Street Journal. Universities are showing interest in the service [Atho]
  • list your idea or information here [LJ]
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