How Can Teachers Use Cloud-based Applications To Benefit Their Teaching Practice?

“Cloud” is a metaphor for the “internet.” In simple terms, cloud based office, or “cloud computing” means that your office applications or data, software, and computing needs are stored, accessed, and operate over the “cloud” or the internet.

If you think of cloud computing as a service where you share your data with strangers over the internet, think again. With a private cloud, you could create your own network and create the cloud on your own terms. A private cloud may be used by a school so they can have their own secure, private network. Teachers can share documents and other information using cloud based office applications like Office 365 and other Google applications making sharing and collaborating so much easier. Today, not only are organizations able to use the services of specialized providers for large-scale computing, but they do so at affordable costs for these services, arising from the efficiencies of shared communication.

Cloud based applications typically include spreadsheet, word processor, and presentation functionalities which you can utilize to create and edit documents online. In addition, they also have collaboration capabilities that allow multiple users to review and edit each others’ documents online. Later you can download and print your documents, or convert them to other formats such as XLS or DOC. This way they can be read by other applications too. Examples of cloud-based tools include Office 365 and Google Docs. The next few pages give you information about these cloud-based applications.

1.Office 365: This is simply your old Office that you’ve used forever, and then some. Office 365 is powered by the cloud, and so you can access your updated files and applications from literally anywhere; PC, Mac, and even appropriate mobile devices. You can edit your files on your computer, email your files from your iPad, and join an online meeting from your phone! All your information is up-to-date and available at your fingertips anywhere and everywhere.

Office 365 is available in 36 languages and is empowering students all over the world. Schools and universities are adopting Microsoft’s cloud solution for education in order to upgrade their infrastructure and offer better services to teachers and students. Here are some ways Office 365 can be used in the classrooms:

• Accessing assignments in online shared workspaces
• Collaborating through cloud-based tools
• Sharing and synchronizing notes between students
• Using applications like Word, Excel, and Power Point from anywhere and at any time
• Communicating with students across countries and time zones with just a click of the mouse
• Educators can respond more efficiently to email requests
• Students sitting in their own homes, can edit documents together as part of their homework.

These are only a few ways that Office 365 can be used in a classroom. You can use all these features and customize them according to your classroom needs. The benefits of using Office 365 in schools are great, including increased teacher-student productivity, better communication, and lower costs.

2.Google Docs: Like Microsoft, Google also offers a free web-based application called ‘Google Docs’. With Google Docs users can create, store, and edit documents and spreadsheets. These files can be accessed from any computer with a full-fledged web browser and an internet connection. Google offers a comprehensive package of online applications for its users and Google Docs is part of it.

Google Docs allows you to import, edit, update, and create documents and spreadsheets in various file formats and fonts, combining text with lists, tables, formulas, and images. It is compatible with most word processors and presentation software. This application is excellent for collaborative projects in which multiple users work together in real time from different locations. All the users can see who is making changes and when these changes are completed. The good thing is that you can control who is able to see and access your documents, thus ensuring that your work is private and secure.

Student Uses:

• Group research projects
• Group essays
• Group presentations
• Peer editing
• Publishing announcements about upcoming assignments
• Brainstorming

Teacher Uses:

• Gathering data from faculty members
• Course development among multiple instructors
• Recording grades and student feedback anytime, anyplace as long as an Internet connection is available.

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Browse the Professional Learning Board COURSE CATALOG to find related online courses for teachers in your state. Professional Learning Board is a leading provider of online professional development classes that teachers use to renew a teaching license or renew a teaching certificate.