Journal # 1

Journal 1 – Computing in the Clouds

Johnson, D. (2009). Computing in the clouds. ISTE, 37. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/LLIssues/Volume3720092010/DecemberJanuaryNo4/Computing_in_the_Clouds.htm

            This article concerns itself with how computer applications are becoming more available online, thus making these technologies more available to a broader demographic by bringing the price down.  To prove his point, the author wrote the entire article “in the clouds”.  That term is meant to mean that he wrote the entire article without the aid of software on his computer and used all online sites to store his information.  

He goes on to discuss the pros and cons of “computing in the clouds”.  Mainly, the pros discussed are the monetary savings that schools could benefit from, computer could run raster because they would have more storage space, you can work from several computers because all your work is saved online.  The cons are mainly that students don’t always have online access, you don’t know the reliability of the cites you are working on, and your privacy and security of your work could be breeched.  The overall tone of the article, I felt is that the pros outweigh the cons and that “Computing in the Clouds” is going to be how computer  technology will be used in the near future.

Are there any other pros and cons that you can think of that aren’t listed in the article?

I think there is something intangible about just using a pen, a piece of paper and your thoughts.  It’s the way great authors have done it in the past and believe just a pen, a piece of paper and your thoughts can help you be more focused.  This is not to say that computers aren’t an incredible resource.  For pros not listed I would say that it helps bridge the divide between the haves and the have nots.

How would you use the information in this article as a teacher?

            I would become aware of “in the clouds” resources that are available.  I would familiarize myself and make sure my students were aware of them.  Any student that was on the lower levels of our socio economic ladder I would encourage to use these resources.   I believe computer technologies should be available to all students and this would help insure my belief.