Journal #1 (NETS I)

 This Journal explains how to facilitate and inspire student learning. It was a good start to the journals as i learned what computing was and how it can effectively be used in the classroom.

Doug, Johnson. (2009). Computing in the clouds. 37(4), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/LLIssues/Volume3720092010/DecemberJanuaryNo4/Computing_in_the_Clouds.htm

Computing in the Clouds is an article that makes teachers and computer users alike learn and understand the pros and cons of cloud computing. Cloud computing is "the internet on network diagrams." cloud computing depends on things such as file storage and applications. With cloud computing your files are stored elsewhere and the hard drive doesn't hold much information. The great thing about cloud computing is the fact that you can work on any project at anytime on any computer; plus you can easily share your files with others who also use cloud -based applications. Along with all the good comes things to consider. For example what would someone have to pay to use cloud computing? Are my things going to be kept private? and are all my files secure? Well Doug Johnson did his research! He found that the process to use cloud computing is currently free, but may one day have a price. Keeping things private for the most part is a success; it is possible to keep data in google for as long or short of time as you would like, and you can also move your data elsewhere. As far as keeping your things secure, well that could be the possible downfall to this brilliant creation. It is always smart to keep back-up copies, and the situation may occur that your things may be lost, but it is said that it doesn't happen very often. 

If cloud computing occurs in the classroom, will the students be more interested in using their computers than taking notes or paying attention in class?

I feel that if a student in the middle or high school aged level were to be encouraged to bring a computer to class they would be more interested in using their facebook or Myspace than paying attention to the teacher. Not only would they be on the internet more, but it would also encourage them to type notes on a word document rather than hand writing them. I feel that hand writing notes helps remember information more so than when just typing it. 

If cloud computing isn't a good idea for the classroom what else could it be used for?

Although it seems like a good idea for the classroom, it would need to be monitored at certain age levels. However, it can used for many other reasons. Lots of business people who have a work office, a home office, and a laptop that they use would get lots of benefits from using cloud computing. Teachers who have one type of computer at home and a different one at school could also take full advantage of cloud computing.