5 Ways Cloud Computing is Revolutionising Education

Featured article by Calvin Paige, Independent Technology Author

Cloud computing is fast becoming essential in education. As a matter of fact, 9 out of 10 educational institutions are using it today. Online institutions now use remote servers to store, manage, and process their educational materials. Students, who are not required to store the materials in their computers, then access this data from any location using any device they wish.

There are many benefits to using cloud computing for educators. Infrastructure costs are lower and cloud computing enhances collaboration and accessibility to materials. Cloud computing is also flexible and allows institutions to customize their services to suit each student. But these aren’t the only ways cloud computing is beneficial. Here are five other ways cloud computing is revolutionising education as people know it.

1) Cheap Online Textbooks

The cost of college and university level textbooks has skyrocketed in the past couple of years. So much so that it has even outpaced the cost of tuition fees. This puts students in a tight spot, especially if they are already struggling financially.

It is a well-known fact that digital content is cheaper than usual textbooks. Using e-books is a great way to reduce the price of study materials.

2) Up-to-date Learning Materials

Institutions with tight budgets cannot afford to buy new and expensive books. They often have to rely on outdated materials that are of little value to their students. This situation affects almost all learning institutions. In contrast, cloud-based learning materials are easy to update owing to their digital nature.

3) No Hardware Upgrades Necessary

Cloud-based internet applications only need an internet browser to run, and they can run on even the cheapest computer or smartphone. As a result, schools and individuals do not need to buy or upgrade their hardware to access learning materials. Better yet, no storage devices are necessary. There are many companies today which offer free cloud-based storage, such as Google with its Google Drive service, for instance.

4) No Software Upgrades Necessary

With cloud computing, software applications are often free. But when subscription fees do apply, they usually are very affordable. For instance, an MS Office student license for 10 devices, 5 PCs and 5 phones, costs only $10 per month. Without cloud computing, the same license would cost $140. Other cloud-based office suite services like Google Docs are available completely free.

5) Diversity of Courses and Target Students

Thanks to cloud computing, students from all walks of life can access online education. Those who failed to complete high school can now complete their high school diploma online while working. Busy moms can pursue their dream careers without leaving their homes and kids. The courses on offer today are incredibly diverse and there are even free driving theory exams available from companies such as Toptests. The possibilities are truly endless.

Conclusion

Online education can only exist through cloud computing. Without it, it would be nearly impossible for institutions to store learning materials in an efficient way that will allow easy access for students 24/7. Cloud services also offers many other benefits for the education sector such as cheaper textbooks, hardware, and software.