Abstract
In the field of education, cloud computing is changing the way learning is delivered and experienced, by providing software, storage, teaching resources, artefacts, and knowledge that can be shared by educators on a global scale. In this paper, the first objective is to understand the general trends in educational use of the cloud, particularly the provision of large scale education opportunities, use of open and free services, and interoperability of learning objects. A review of current literature reveals the opportunities and issues around managing learning and teaching related knowledge in the cloud. The educational use of the cloud will continue to grow as the services, pedagogies, personalization, and standardization of learning are refined and adopted. Secondly, the paper presents an example of how the cloud can support learning opportunities using SCORM interoperable learning objects. The case study findings show that, while the use of SCORM enables a variety of trackable learning opportunities, the constraints of maintaining the currency of the learning also need to be considered. It is recommended that the SCORM content are combined with cloud based student activities. These learning objects can be used to support alternative learning opportunities within blended and online learning environments.
Highlights
Cloud computing has been around for a number of years and is realized in a variety of solutions that promise reliable infrastructure, large amounts of storage and a range of easy to access software and services
The philosophy of the open educational resources (OERs) movement is the sharing, reuse and re-purposing of learning, there is no indication that this is the philosophy of all education based cloud users, and there are institutional policies regarding intellectual property and ownership of material generated by their educators (Franklin & van Harmelen, 2007)
When the Shareable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) learning object is hosted in the cloud, these advantages are multiplied as only one instance of the learning object is needed across the variety of systems, no porting or duplication required
Summary
Cloud computing has been around for a number of years and is realized in a variety of solutions that promise reliable infrastructure, large amounts of storage and a range of easy to access software and services. In the field of education cloud computing is changing the way learning is delivered and experienced, from providing software, storage, teaching resources and artefacts that can be shared by educators on a global scale. The use of the cloud within education spans the three services models, the focus in this paper is on the provision of software, storage and application engines that support teaching and learning within an educational elearning environment. Best practice dictates that “e-learning enables accessible, relevant, and high-quality learning opportunities that improve student engagement and achievement” (Ministry of Education, n.d.), where technology supports effective pedagogy. As this shift to technology enhanced learning develops, the e-learning opportunities afforded by the cloud continues to grow and its effectiveness explored. This literature review reveals some of the ongoing issues experienced when using the cloud for education in the areas of currency, control and intellectual property rights
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