A Cloud Computing Architecture for E-learning
The Asian market seems to be tailor-made for cloud-based e-learning businesses. This is because of the huge availability of affordable computers in the region, the higher-than normal average broadband Internet speeds, and the large demand for educational content, specifically in the areas of language study and higher learning. The potential for cloud computing to transform education in Asia is enormous and may necessitate a complete redesign of the region’s existing education systems. The cloud can help us solve complicated issues more effectively, resulting in improved speed and lower costs.
The benefits that cloud computing can bring to e-learning
There are several reasons why cloud computing is ideal for e-learning applications. Here we take a look at some of the main benefits that a cloud computing architecture can bring to an educational system:
1. Some important benefits associated with the use of cloud computing in e-learning is raw computing power and a phenomenal increase in storage capacity that it affords educational institutions. With the ability to store data in numerous distributed computer systems and thousands of individual clouds, educational institutions get a boost that would otherwise have required an investment in costly, impractical infrastructure. Essentially, students can have all this computing power and storage space at their fingertips by simply accessing the Internet.
2. Perhaps the biggest advantage the cloud offers e-learning is continuous availability. The integration of enormous computing power and increased storage space means that e-learning services can vastly increase the quality of their service. With an architecture in place that allows automatic detection of a failed node and its automatic exclusion, this means that the e-learning system can be available for longer periods and with fewer delays and interruptions than systems in local servers or traditional data centers. Learn more about high availability systems and see how GMO Cloud has improved this particular feature by visiting the Features page.
3. Cloud computing brings higher security to e-learning systems. It is important to note that cloud computing’s reputation of having inferior security to traditional systems is entirely undeserved. Technological advances and a specific focus on solving security issues mean that cloud computing security is on par, or even superior to traditional computing architectures. The reason why data on the cloud is more secure than normal is because of highly controlled redundancy and specific management. By enabling managers to handle data across different machines and establish security protocols, security can be guaranteed for participating institutions and individuals. This is especially true if personnel is hired to carry out real-time security monitoring on the system.
4. One of the reasons why many institutions in Asia are attracted to a cloud-based educational system is the degree of virtualization that it allows its users. With cloud computing, physical platforms and applications do not need to be related directly. Virtualized platforms allow the building up resources by sharing and distributing more effectively existing servers, storage space, and networking capabilities.
5. Thanks to the increases in efficiency that this model affords, the costs can be kept considerably lower than traditional e-learning systems. With a cloud computing model, students in remote locations or with fewer resources than normal have access to high processing power at lower costs. While the up-front investment in the technology would require a higher initial cost, the long-term benefits outweigh these expenses by far.
Cloud computing enables interactivity in e-learning
With traditional e-learning, teachers rely on assigning tasks and conducting lectures. However, a cloud computing architecture allows teachers to answer questions and address specific points directly.
Students can also create their own curriculum and schedules and decide on the best learning plan for themselves. Group projects and cooperation among students can be carried out more effectively than with traditional learning. This interactivity is one of the most important demands institutions are placing today on e-learning providers and a cloud-based architecture is the best possible model to provide institutions with the tools they need to carry it out.
There is no doubt that the rapid increase in e-learning in the Asian market will drive changes in traditional education systems, and cloud computing will be a major force in the future advancements in this field.
Be Part of Our Cloud Conversation
Our articles are written to provide you with tools and information to meet your IT and cloud solution needs. Join us on Facebook and Twitter.
About the Guest Author:
Nida Rasheed is a freelance writer and owner of an outsourcing company, Nida often finds herself wanting to write about the subjects that are closest to her heart. She lives in Islamabad, Pakistan and can be found on Twitter @nidarasheed.
