Learning and the (IU) Cloud Part 1: Students and Collaboration

Chip Easterling Instructional Technology Consultant Center for Teaching and Learning

weasterl@iupui.edu | 317-274-3939

What to Expect - Purpose

•  Key introduction to what faculty/instructors should know about integrating cloud services: –  Into their teaching –  In a meaningful way –  In a way that promotes collaboration

•  About starting a conversation, not dispensing “a way” or “the way” of using these newer tools

What to Expect - Approach •  Focus on application in instruction

– Tools will be overviewed, but not a how-to –  “Here is one way you could use it” – Focusing on one tool as an example

•  Resources for learning more about the tool – Contact me (weasterl@iupui.edu) or CTL – Resources for support available on workshop

website (website will launch on your screen) –  IT Training sessions

Today’s Agenda

1.  Know your cloud(s) –  IU cloud services –  3rd party tools

2.  IU Policies and the cloud 3.  The strengths and limitations of your cloud tools

– Example: IU Box 4.  Know your platforms – traditional and mobile 5.  Possibilities – inside and outside of class

KNOW YOUR CLOUDS

This is intended to be a brief overview. Please consult with your presenter and/or visit the web resources made available for more detailed information

Cloud Computing - General

Key Concepts – Cloud Computing

“Traditional” computing •  Software is installed on

each computer where it is used

•  Software is maintained per machine/installation

•  Licensing (varies, often per installation per machine)

•  Software primarily uses local resources (desktop computer, processor, etc)

•  Does not (always) require a network connection – runs independently

“Cloud” computing •  Software is installed on a central

(collection of) server(s) •  Software is maintained centrally •  Licensing still varies, but can

use different models •  Software primarily uses remote

resources; local computer serves as a “window” to the software running remotely

•  Use of a client to connect to and use remote resources

•  Requires an active network/internet connection to access software

What does this look like at IU •  The IUanyWare environment

–  http://iuanyware.iu.edu – Access to IU contracted apps from anywhere – Dependent on Internet connection – Virtual computer lab

•  IU Cloud Storage – links cloud storage options to IUanyWare – And what is cloud storage? …

Cloud Storage – General

Key Concepts – Cloud Storage

“Traditional” storage •  Files are saved on a local

drive (hard drive, optical drive, USB drive)

•  Paths to files are local •  How do we share files?

“Cloud” storage •  Files may be saved on a

local drive if using a “sync” service, but files are stored remotely

•  Paths may be local, but the “primary resting place” (oversimplification) of the files are on a remote storage device

•  Sharing one, “centrally” located file via URL, not multiple copies

Cloud storage options available

Service Strengths

Dropbox Ubiquitous; easily integrates with your OS; use with media

Box IU Contract; Scalable to large organizations; levels of permissions; tasking)

Google Drive Storage combined with the Google Docs environment

Microsoft SkyDrive Integration with MS web/cloud services

Amazon Cloud Storage Integration with Amazon cloud services and media purchased through Amazon

IU cloud services •  IU Box – Cloud storage for the IU community

–  Allows for secure (IU CAS) file sharing –  Allows for collaborative file editing*, commenting,

and prioritizing (tasks) –  IU Box and mobile devices

•  IUanyWare – Apps in the cloud for the IU system –  IUanyWare current software list –  IUanyWare and mobile devices –  IUanyWare and IU Cloud Storage

IU POLICIES AND THE CLOUD

What to consider – data ownership

•  Who owns the data stored in a cloud service? – Terms of service and third-party tools – University obligations about protecting

student data and their “academic record”

What to consider - security

•  Who has access to data stored in a cloud service – Federal, state, and local laws, regulations,

and guidelines – Classifications of data and IU

IU Cloud Services Policies

•  Instructor rights and responsibilities – see info sheet on workshop webpage

•  Asking students to enter into a contract with a third-party provider

•  Accessibility and third-party tools (more on this in Part 2)

DEMONSTRATION: IU BOX Tour of the tool and basic features

A Note About My Approach

•  Approaching a new tool/service – Consider the tools affordances and limitations – Consider your content knowledge, necessary

instructional approaches, and the tech involved – A tool in an “ecosystem”

•  Looking for “affordances” and “limitations” –  In general and in your field/discipline

IU Box as an example – cloud storage

•  Key features – File management – Sharing and permissions – Commenting and tasking – Tagging, mentioning, and liking

IU BOX (WEB) - DEBRIEF

•  What can this tool do (affordances)? – For teaching & learning in general

(share with all) – For teaching & learning in your field/discipline

(record for yourself)

IU BOX (WEB) - DEBRIEF

•  What can this tool not do (limitations)? – For teaching & learning in general

(share with all) – For teaching & learning in your field/discipline

(record for yourself)

DEMONSTRATION: BOX MOBILE APP

Box Sync (desktop) Box Edit (and what it does) Box mobile apps (and what they do)

IU BOX (MOBILE) - DEBRIEF

•  What can this tool do (affordances)? – For teaching & learning in general

(share with all) – For teaching & learning in your field/discipline

(record for yourself)

IU BOX (MOBILE) - DEBRIEF

•  What can this tool not do (limitations)? – For teaching & learning in general

(share with all) – For teaching & learning in your field/discipline

(record for yourself)

Benefits & Challenges in Teaching & Learning Applications

Some Benefits •  Device agnostic (mostly),

allowing for greater access and participation

•  Implications for groupwork outside of class

•  asynchronous access to tools for coursework

•  reduced dependence on labs, esp, in online courses

•  Shared, collaborative resources for F2F or online courses

Some Challenges •  Possible learning curve? •  Internet connectivity •  Licensing and availability

issue (for some titles) •  Dependence on central

service versus multiple, redundant systems?

•  Synchronous vs asynchronous use & application

COLLABORATION & LEARNING

What is Collaboration?

•  New Oxford American Dictionary: 1: the action of working with someone to produce or create something

•  Something intentional

•  Collaboration and: cooperation? collective work?

Creation/Production Tasks •  Students create something:

–  To demonstrate what they have learned (evidence of learning)

–  To learn “how to” do something –  To learn content through a relevant task

•  Types of creative acts –  Items that show knowledge of the area of study –  Items that are part of the area of study –  Performances, practices, and interventions

•  Collections of artifacts à Portfolios

EXAMPLES AND BRAINSTORMING

Example: Sharing Files •  Old way to work on a PPT: one person changes it, then

email it to another

•  IU Box: one common PPT file stored via Box, multiple “collaborators” who can access, update, and edit

–  Pros: CAS authenitcated, multiple editors, commenting –  Con: not real-time, no simultaneous editing

•  Discussions on folders to discuss folder activities –  Communication channel and file-sharing in one place

Example: Versions, Tasks & Comments •  IU Box, multiple versions, and version history

– How do I look for versions? – What can I do with this?

•  Commenting feature for ongoing annotation

•  Task feature (for assigning revisions and review) •  Restriction to specific users (collaborators)

(minimize outside-of-group editing or influence)

Example: Group Research Paper •  There is a group folder (with collaborators)

– Research documents in a subfolder – Drafts and other writing in another subfolder – Co-authors (students, researchers) comment on

drafts in the documents •  Word – track changes and comments •  Then comment on the state of the file in Box

– The folder has a discussion for collaborators to discuss the project

– Task feature to assign revisions, summaries of articles, etc

SHARING IDEAS? CONNECTIONS?

COMMENTS? QUESTIONS?

EXTRA TIME?

Practice: IU Box Demo Folder •  Please try the following tasks

– Add a file; “like” someone else’s file – Comment on a file; then, comment after another

person – Assign a task to me

•  Discussion within IU Box – Two discussion threads under the IU Box Demo

folder discussion tab: •  Possibilities •  Concerns