Empowering management of a multi-section, basic engineering course with cloud storage

Abstract

Cloud storage was used by lecturers for resource sharing and course management in a multi-section, mathematically intensive, basic engineering course. The storage allowed effortless desktop and mobile resource sharing between lecturers such that documents were readily accessed at any place and any time as well as reduced and decentralised workload in document management. Quizzes and exams could be set up more efficiently with feedbacks from other lecturers in a virtual group setting. The unexpected benefits included more efficient chance meetings as detailed management information was readily available, as well as a higher peer pressure among lecturers for exam settings and marking deadlines. Cloud storage also provided a supplemental channel of file distribution to students for very large files, particularly video clips. The keys to success in this adoption of more mobile learning and management were the underlying cooperation and leadership within the course management. Wide-scale adoptions could be facilitated by knowledge management activities with proven adoption model and user champions.