Cloud computing has been increasingly linked to educational organizations as more schools strive to take advantage of increasing connectivity options through smartphones, laptops, desktop computers, and tablets. In fact, the market is set to explode upwards of $25 billion by 2021, an incredible surge from just $8 billion in 2016. 

But just what is cloud computing and how are schools using it to bring accelerated learning and new resources to their student populations? Basically, the cloud is another phrase for “the internet” and cloud computing offers a way to bring the functionality that was in the past supplied by software applications resident on in-house servers or desktop computers. Typically, most schools choose the following apps in their cloud computing services:

• Gmail
• Google Docs
• Google Maps
• Google Apps
• Microsoft Windows Life

Some even add Amazon services for their web services and other offerings. Cloud computing offers a host of advantages to public and private schools alike, including:

Cost Savings

Cloud computing can remove the need for an in-house data center, allowing schools to store pertinent materials in an online storage area such as Microsoft’s Azure cloud. By removing the need for updating — or replacing — in-house storage, schools can save thousands of dollars, and they have the flexibility of increasing or reducing storage on an as-needed basis. Plus, schools only pay for the capacity that they use, and a cloud-based model removes the other expenses typically associated with the maintenance of on-premises servers such as electricity, room cooling, and even IT support. In fact, switching to a cloud-based model can free up in-house IT personnel for more mission-critical tasks. 

Flexibility

As mentioned, schools can scale their infrastructure to suit their needs, even when their needs change rapidly. 

Accessibility

One of the most critical features of cloud computing, a cloud-based system brings access to all students, even those that are at home or in a remote location. As we have seen with the recent pandemic, being able to provide the appropriate educational materials to students who are learning virtually quickly has become a hot-button topic for schools interested in keeping learning on target.

Ways to Incorporate Cloud Computing into the Classroom

There are many ways to use the cloud to make classroom learning more accessible and enriching than ever before. Typically, the cloud allows teachers, students, and even parents to interact with one another regardless of location, providing an additional venue for social networking and expressive communication. Also:

• Teachers and students can access needed information from any location and even claim a personal workspace that they can set up to suit individual needs.
• Larger amounts of processing power become available to each user when a cloud-based system is deployed.
• A cloud-based system can reduce the need for outdated or expensive textbooks since all materials can be accessed through one portal.
• The need for backing up files on USBs, disks, or servers is removed, reducing the risk of information theft or loss. 
• Data is more protected from disasters — natural or man-made — with cloud systems, ensuring that student data is accessible and protected regardless of what may occur in the physical school building.

Schools that use cloud computing also have an advantage when it comes to data recovery and restoring services after technical issues since cloud operations eliminate the problems often associated with single point failures.

Let Blue Technologies Help Your School Make the Switch to Cloud Computing

Nothing has impacted schools more than the recent coronavirus pandemic. Schools had to quickly find ways to reach students that were choosing — or were mandated — to learn from home. For those with cloud-based systems in place, the transition was fast, effective, and allowed learning to continue throughout lockdowns. For those schools that were not able to implement a cloud system — or those that want to take the time to fine-tune their current installation — we have you covered.

Cloud computing can be the ultimate solution for your school if you want cost-effective, fast access to critical information, regardless of the location of your educators or students. Our team of cloud experts can assess your current infrastructure and plan out a cloud-based system that will provide all the storage and access you need, along with a tough security and disaster recovery plan.

Reduce the strain on your in-house resources and gain the flexibility and functionality your school needs to provide an outstanding education. Contact a Blue Technologies consultant and learn how our cloud computing systems can transform your school’s ability to reach and serve students.