Cloud in education: Benefits for educators, learners and environment
The cloud has disrupted the education scenario for good – freeing it from the confines of space and time. It also brought a major shift in the focus of instruction. Student interests are taking center stage, and the methodical teacher-centered learning is being replaced by learner-centered instruction.
The cloud technology dramatically reduces the time, funds and infrastructure educational institutions require to reach to the new markets. Not only do institutions benefit from the economies of scale, but they can also channelize the savings towards strategic learning initiatives and other revenue streams. Apart from these, institutions will achieve operational efficiency with the centralized control while the students become more engaged with the options available to them. Teachers focus more on learner requirements rather than on mundane admin tasks.
Already, the cloud in education is a huge market worth $5 billion; it is expected to cross $12 billion in 2019, according to a report, Cloud Computing in Education Market – Worldwide Market Forecasts and Analysis (2014-2019) by MarketsandMarkets. Another report from CDW – 2013 State of the Cloud showed that 48% of the higher ed institutions that participated in the survey saw moving to cloud as a top priority, which shows that the cloud finds its benefits in the education sector.
Incorporation of the cloud in education
Cloud is deployed in education is deployed through three service models:- Software as a Service (SaaS): This model of cloud computing enables educational institutes to use applications and software through a cloud platform. These subscription-based e learning solutions are available in different variants, giving users the flexibility to scale operations as per their needs.
- Platform as a Service (PaaS): The educators can create, and customize self-created or acquired applications through programming languages, services, and tools that the cloud platform providers offer. For instance, an educator can design a customized virtual lab for the students using a PaaS. However, for this, they need to possess technical know-how or hire an IT team for application development.
- Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): The service provider enables the educators to deploy and run the software, including applications and operating systems. A provision to processing, networks, and storage is also made available.
Why are educational institutes moving to cloud?
There are a plethora of reasons why educational institutes are moving to the cloud, such as:- Real-time instruction in virtual environment
- Self-paced distance learning online
- Cost Effectiveness
- Unlimited Storage
- Data Security
- Flexibility of Customization and Scaling
- Environmental Friendliness