Journal #1: Computing in the Clouds: NETS-5

Johnson, D. (2009). Computing in the clouds. Learning and Leading with Technology, 37(4). Retrieved on February 1, from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/LLIssues/Volume3720092010/DecemberJanuaryNo4/Computing_in_the_Clouds.htm




Summary/Reflection 
This article discusses a possible alternative for integrating technology in classrooms throughout the United States. The article is talking about "cloud computing" or using resources online that are free to create documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and surveys. Schools are faced with continued budget cuts while technology continues to change rapidly. Schools can utilize "cloud computing" free of cost and make technology more readily available to more students. The article proposes the use of NetBooks for students and teachers. NetBooks are low-cost computers that can easily be interchanged between students because student work is not stored on the computer itself. The article poses the question, could parents afford to spend around $250 dollars for a NetBook for each of their children? The author cites having to purchase a graphing calculator for his son when he was in high school. The graphing calculator cost around $100.00 The article also outlines the shortcomings of NetBooks and "the cloud" saying that files may not be 100% secure and it is questionable if files are private. The article goes on to state that for making movies and playing/making CD's and DVD's a regular computer is required. 


I thought this article was interesting. I do not consider myself tech savvy at all but this article seemed to raise some good points about saving money while making technology more readily available to greater numbers of students. I am not entirely sold on NetBooks and "the cloud." Maybe this is because it is unfamiliar to me? Or because I feel that students will be missing out on learning to programs most commonly used in work and college? I can certainly see the benefits of integrating technology into classrooms with more of a 1:1 ratio instead of one computer and five or six students must share throughout the week. 


Question #1: Will the integration of NetBooks into the classroom actually be more costly because teachers need to be trained on them?


The article states that NetBooks cost far less then regular computers but it states that teachers will need to be trained on how to use them. The school districts will need to provide the trainings to teachers. I am not sure how long it takes to become proficient at using a NetBook but districts will have to be continually offering trainings to new teachers. New teachers may be recent college graduates who have little or no knowledge of NetBooks or new teachers may be people who have decided to teach as a second career and likely have little or no knowledge of NetBooks. If people are not properly trained on the use of NetBooks they may not take full advantage of the technology so it is important to educate people fully on the use of NetBooks. 


Question #2: Do NetBooks provide students with opportunities to learn proper MLA and APA formatting that is required for higher education?


Personally, I am not familiar with NetBooks and what their capabilities are but from my own experience using online sources to type into there is not a way to properly format papers. For example, I am currently typing my blog and there is no way I could format margins, font size, a header/footer, and page numbers because it's just a continuous box to type into. I am not sure, based on the reading, if NetBooks have the capability of formatting papers in APA or MLA format. If they do not then this could be a serious problem when students begin college. If NetBooks do have these capabilities then these can be wonderful teaching tools to teach students how to format papers, references, and citations.