Cloud Topics

How the Cloud Is Transforming the Education Sector

By Nicole Lim / August 3, 2020

Cloud computing is responsible for multiple changes to several industries, some of which aren’t directly related to technology itself. With cloud-based applications, businesses in various sectors are experiencing increased flexibility and accessibility while reducing costs.

These advancements may also shape important industries that affect everyday life, including education. Cloud technology has already changed and improved many education-related processes, including how students and teachers interact. When the education sector embraces what cloud-based technologies have to offer, it leads to promising future development and innovations within the education system.

Accessibility

The app economy is a game-changer in the education system because it can make materials more accessible for students. Learning materials and textbooks may be easily accessed online or even from a smartphone with certain applications.

College students might be familiar with the financial stress of course materials. Some students may have used a portion of student loan money just to cover the books they need for a semester of classes. With cloud-based technology, students may no longer need to invest in expensive materials after enrolling in classes.

Since apps make materials accessible from smartphones, students may not even find themselves investing in expensive computers or laptops to keep up in class. They can simply pull out their phone and open an app. This accessibility also expands the professor’s learning method choices; teachers can incorporate technology and digital learning materials into their lesson plans.

Some students learn by reading, others by listening, and some by interacting. With online learning materials, students can incorporate several different types of learning methods to ensure they’re grasping important concepts that allow them to succeed in their educational careers.

Back-Up and Storage

Students can store documents, files, and projects within these cloud-based systems. The documents remain secure, and are automatically backed up when they’re stored in the cloud.

Since cloud-based systems are often synonymous with data security and confidentiality, the administrative office may also benefit from their implementation in the school system. Confidential information, such as parent details, grades, and disciplinary actions, are encrypted and safely stored, only accessible to those with permission.

Teachers can also use the cloud to store assignments and provide student feedback. When these items are stored on the cloud, students can reference them at any time, whether they need to review their past performance or re-read assignment guidelines.

Collaboration

Collaboration and interaction between students and teachers is one of the most important activities for learning and keeping children engaged. It may seem that the only way for students and teachers to collaborate is when they’re face-to-face in the classroom but cloud-based technologies make these interactions easy to achieve on a regular basis.

With cloud-based technology, teachers have the ability to video chat, send messages, and interact through other methods directly with students. This can allow for collaboration, feedback, and personal interactions between students and teachers. Some students may feel more comfortable asking questions or voicing their troubles during this online one-on-one time than they would in a crowded classroom.

Students can also collaborate with each other through file-sharing initiatives or participate in a classroom discussion virtually using a cloud-based app. Teachers can assign group projects and student to student collaboration assignments knowing these students can use cloud-based technology to communicate, interact, and achieve educational goals together.

Environmental Impact

When students turn to cloud-based technology within the education system, it can help reduce their negative environmental impact. When educational materials are available virtually, less resources are needed to create textbooks and other materials.

When students turn in their homework and projects through cloud-based applications, they don’t need to rely on paper, folders, or other supplies. This allows the school system to reduce its carbon footprint while still providing an education that helps children prepare for the future.

Reduced Costs

Schools that encourage the use of learning technology and resources accessed through a cloud marketplace may not need as much staff, hardware, or licensing as traditional schools. When students learn remotely, even one day per week, schools can remain closed for these days, saving energy and other resources they may have needed to use to accommodate the student body.

Schools may also benefit financially because students can have the ability to learn from home with these applications. This allows schools to set up in smaller buildings, which can reduce their overhead costs.

Time, Convenience, and Flexibility

Virtual education offers the benefits of time, convenience, and flexibility to both students and teachers. Some children have trouble focusing on schoolwork for hours at a time and with cloud-based technology, they may have more freedom to take short breaks throughout the day as they need them. Students with social anxieties or collegiates who have work responsibilities may find cloud-based learning much less intimidating and easier to fit into their lives.

Teachers who are involved in virtual learning make better use of their working time. These teaching professionals could be able to teach more students throughout the day because cloud-based technology makes it easier to provide details on assignments and grade papers. Without a block of time that they must be in school, engaging face-to-face with students, teachers make better use of the day and get more accomplished, while still interacting with students online.

When you consider how cloud-based technology affects the world, you may only think about e-commerce and business. However, with its flexibility, interactive capabilities, and easy accessibility, this technology is reshaping the way students learn and transforming the education sector.