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Cloud Computing

How to Use Cloud Computing for Homework Help

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Cloud Computing
Stay connected with your students by assigning homework on the cloud.

Cloud computing is a technology that can be incredibly helpful in any number of environments, including a school environment. In fact, cloud computing can provide teachers with the opportunity to increase interaction with their students, allowing them to help students by using cloud computing with homework as well as in-class lessons.

Cloud computing services, such as the use of Google Docs, has a huge advantage over traditional methods of teaching. For example, when a teacher assigns an essay to students, odds are the teach won’t see any progress until the students hand in their final essays. Once they’re turned in, the teacher will have to take 30 some essays from each class home in order to grade. Most students won’t seek help before assignments are due, either. It’s much easier to guide students to a successful assignment with the use of a cloud computing service such as Google Docs.

Through cloud computing, a teacher is able to ask for prompts for a subject in-class through the use of Google Docs and receive them from students within minutes. The teacher can then project these prompts and discuss them, thereby helping students develop their essay’s subject matter. It also makes it easy to track the progress of students by having them send in works-in-progress that teachers can look over quickly. This is much less complicated than having students print or write out their work and having to sort hundreds of papers at home.

Contact us at Labyrinth Learning for additional information on using cloud computing with homework.

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Technology in Education Trends to Watch in 2014

Technology in Education Trends to Watch in 2014

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Technology in Education Trends to Watch in 2014
Source: morgueFile

In 2013, many pundits debated the limitations of online courses. But overall, it was seen as a very good year for those who support technology in education. For example, online degrees got the green light from the U.S. Department of Education.

Here are some education trends you can expect to see more of in 2014:

  • Openness:  Open-source software is free and encourages students to work together to build and customize solutions. These communities may grow into hotbeds of innovation.
  • Analytics: Analytics will provide performance metrics that will produce data that can be used to understand learning strategies. Students can track of their grades, assignments and upcoming lessons in just a few clicks.
  • Cloud: The cloud will allow for email, calendars, and other utilities to all be shared in one place. Technology in education will only continue to improve as software and support improves.
  • More focus on course design:  Online courses work best when integrated with in-class sessions. Our online courses offer a variety of resources available to educators.
  • Gamification: The Research & Innovation Network has found that games help students learn faster. Learning might actually be (even more) fun in 2014.

Technology in education will continue to place a larger role in 2014. If you want to see how our solutions can help you in the classroom, feel free to contact us at Labyrinth Learning.

Cloud computing for multiple devices

More Colleges are Turning to Cloud Computing

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Between college students who juggle full-time work and school schedules and those who return to school while after having families of their own, colleges need to make continuing education as efficient, available, and relevant as possible. This is one of the reasons many colleges are turning to cloud computing technology.

As Scott Cornell points out in his Faronics.com blog, “professors across the United States and Canada deliver coursework to their students through cloud-based classroom software.” There are several reasons for this trend:Cloud computing for multiple devices

  • It’s efficient. Cloud technology takes much of the onus of hardware responsibility away from the campus and onto the Cloud host. This can free up campus infrastructure and maintenance dollars, which is critical in today’s financial climate. In fact, as cloud computing becomes more of the norm, a majority of on-campus computers will require minimal storage capacity saving colleges even more money.
  • It’s mobile. Students want to be able to access their work from a variety of sources, including tablets and smartphones. The Cloud makes it easy for anyone to access their data from anywhere on the planet as long as they have internet service.
  • It’s personal. Cloud-based technology can be used for more personal message and video conferencing, which is especially beneficial in an era where many students attend their classes online. Regular video conferencing or Cloud hang-outs can enhance the professor-student and/or student-student relationship.

If you are a college professional, or student, attending a college that has migrated to cloud computing technology, Labyrinth Learning would love to hear what you think.

Cloud computing design

Cloud Computing for Educators

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Cloud computing designUsing technology in the classroom has a myriad of benefits. Not only do teachers have the option of using thousands of cloud computing applications, they can also use efficient course management systems, which makes manual creation of assessments, grading, and grade book maintenance a thing of the past. If you struggle to meet the individual learning needs of your students, consider the ways cloud-based tools can help.

3 Cloud Computing Tools for Educators

  1. WordPress. Creating your own website or blog provides a one-stop-shop for students to get answers to direct questions, find additional learning support and tools for their classes, and to communicate with you when necessary. WordPress is free and simple to use.
  2. Scribd. Use Scribd to share published works with your students via a link on your website or blog. In addition to providing learning support for your classes, students will be able to use Scribd for other classes as well.
  3. BigHugeLabs. Try your hand at  BigHugeLabs and create puzzles, trading cards, posters and more using your students’ images. It’s easy and fun to use, but most important is that it’s free!

For more information, register with Labyrinth Learning and check out our eLab CMS. We’ve created effective, engaging, educational texts (and now the option of accompanying course management systems) for two decades.

 

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