in 9. Cloud Computing

There are several apps on the market that help students connect to their LMS, for example Group #2 mTouch app to connect to cde.lms.Athabascau.ca site. I have setup a mobile server that allows students to connect with app’s like, mPage and mTouch. The problem is students have to download and setup these app’s to access their mobile course content, in addition the app’s cost money.

An alternative to buying app’s and configuring to the server, we can export/convert your current sites to a mobile friendly format. Many sites on the net currently do this. For example, if you type google.com into a mobile browser, you get re-directed to a mobile page. Facebook does the same, type in facebook.com on your iPhone browser and you will see m.facebook.com. The content is converted into a mobile format automatically.

There is a nice tool at google to take your existing site and convert it to a mobile friendly page. The approach doesn’t require the student to, buy, configure, maintain or update there app’s. Just use the site! There will be some initial setup and configuration on the part of the institution, but once it is setup it should be transparent to the student.

Google web site convert tool: http://www.google.com/gwt/n

EXAMPLE

Desktop Version

Mobile Version

After reading a few articles on cloud computing and watching Steve Job speak about remote storage 14 years ago, reminded me that this is not a new concept. The word “cloud” is new, but the idea that remote storage and processing has been around since the 1960’s as Craig mentioned. Mainframe computers are a virtual cloud model. So why is this just catching on now? Citrix systems has been offering a cloud environment for over 15 years. May be a combination of factors; faster global infrastructure, cost savings, functionality, whatever reason It’s just nice we have it as a main stream feature today.

| 9. Cloud Computing by Rhyon Caldwell, M.Ed.,PID,MTA,MOS,ACA,IC3