Cloud Computing
Promises, Opportunities, and
Challenges
The Technology in Pharmacy Education and Learning
SIG presents:
Welcome
• Orientation to the space:
– Presentation
– Chat
– Moderation
• Phone number (only if you can’t hear)
– Phone number: 1-800-377-8846
– Participant Code: 94061839#
Learning Goals
By the end of this session, learners will be
able to:
•
Define the term "cloud computing"
•
Provide practical examples of cloud-based tools that can be
used for teaching and learning
•
Identify some of the strengths of using cloud-based tools in (and
out of) the classroom
•
Explain some of the legal and technical challenges associated
with using cloud-based tools in their classes
•
Apply techniques for using cloud-based tools in their own areas
of instruction
Session Outline
• Welcome
• Overview of cloud computing and
introduction to some interesting tools
• Case studies in using cloud computing
– Using cloud-based tools as a student
response system
– Using cloud-based tools for student
presentations
Overview of Cloud Computing
• What is “cloud computing”
• A computing metaphor where software
and computing capacity is delivered as
a “service” rather than as a “product”
Overview of Cloud Computing
• What is “cloud computing”
• Instead of buying and installing software, you
access computing resources over a network
• Two main ways to think about it:
– Commercial cloud (accessed via “the
Internet”
– Private cloud (accessed via a private
network)
Overview of Cloud Computing
• What is “cloud computing”
• Instead of buying and installing software (or
even hardware), you access computing
resources over a network
• Two main ways to think about it:
– Commercial cloud (accessed via “the
Internet”
– Private cloud (accessed via a private
network)
Overview of Cloud Computing
Computing Need Personal Computing Cloud Computing
Make a document Buy and install MS Word
Log onto Google on the web and make a doc Create a presentation Buy and install MS
PowerPoint
Log onto Google
presenter or Prezi and create a presentation Collaborate on a grant
proposal
Draft it using desktop publishing software and email it to collaborators
Create it in an online document tool and collaborate online Manage documents
and data
Buy a large hard drive and organize it with file folders
Upload it to an online storage system and “tag” it using multiple taxonomies
Overview of Cloud Computing
• Why do this?
– Offloads the need to install heavy, clunky hardware
– Offloads computing processing needs, so computing can
become more nimble (iPads, for example)
– Allows for new and different types of collaboration
(Google Docs, for example)
– Reduces need to worry about “compatibility” upgrades
– Allows for access to critical materials any time, any where
– Supports esoteric computing needs and workflows (app
Overview of Cloud Computing
• Why *not* do this?
– Network is required to access materials
– Non-trivial IP and copyright issues emerge
– Non-trivial privacy concerns emerge
– Has the potential to magnify the digital divide
– Non-trivial technical and compatibility challenges
– Support is extremely complex
And Now…Fun Toys!
• Cloud-based student response systems
– ChimeIn (U of M)
– LectureTools
– TopHat Monocle
And Now…Fun Toys!
• Online presentations
– Google Presenter
http://z.umn.edu/educauseDL
– Prezi
http://z.umn.edu/educause2
– VoiceThread
And Now…Fun Toys!
• Live Presentation and Annotation Tools
– ZigZag Board
– SyncPad
Case-Study
Cloud based response tools:
Use in large groups
Jeannine M. Conway, PharmD,
BCPS
Pharmacotherapy Capstone Course
• 160 students
– 60 in Duluth
– 100 in Twin Cities
• Integrated case is made available
– 6 days to submit note
• Case is graded
– 6 days to grade
– Multiple residents/pharmacists evaluate
• Class meets for discussion
Discussion facilitation
• Pre-assigned questions and/or topics
– Class assigned to groups of 4
– Held separately on each campus
• 2 hrs scheduled
• Go beyond the original case
• What if’s
• Challenges
– Individual accountability
– Keeping students engaged
What worked
• Asking open ended questions
– See data trends using word cloud
– Prevents cuing students by providing answer options
• Data is saved
– Can see what the group is struggling with
– Will use to prepare for next course offering
• Access questions with a variety of devices
– Laptops, mobile phones, ipads, etc
• Track responses
– Engaged students less likely to speak up
– Anonymous or identify users
Challenges
• Abuse of anonymous settings
– Unrelated to topic and silly
• Technical issues
– Can’t “reset” question and retain the data
– Or easily copy question
– Adjusting the order of question appearance
• Classroom limitations
– Dictates connectivity options
– Rooms with limited cell service or dead zone
in wireless network
Future plans
• Use across semester
• Collect more feedback
– Muddiest points
– Questions
– Suggestions for activities or topics they
want more practice in
An example:
Doneka R. Scott, PharmD, MA
Assistant Professor and Director,
Student Learning Assessment &
Research
Case Study
Cloud Computing:
PharmD Paper & Seminar Sequence
Fall P3
• PHAR 6181: PharmD
Paper & Seminar
Fall P4
• PHAR 6183: PharmD
Paper
Spring P4• PHAR 6182: PharmD
Seminar
• 1 credit course
• Introduces students to the paper, the writing process,
research methods, etc.
– Content includes developing research questions and hypothesis
statements, research methodology, IRB, conducting effective
literature searches, writing literature reviews, and academic
writing, developing professional presentations
• Delivered to both Twin Cities and Duluth students
synchronously via interactive television
– Hybrid (online, face-to-face)
– Most lecture material online
– More discussion-based/active learning in-class and online
– Online discussions - randomly-assigned groups of 4 students
PHAR 6181: PharmD Paper &
Seminar
• Goals:
– Introduce themselves to group members, build rapport
– Become familiar with online presentation technology early in the semester
• Assignment:
– Make an audio/visual presentation using VoiceThread (www.voicethread.com)
– The 5‐minute (or less) presentation includes the following components: • Student’s full name, what it means and/or how named
• Something about themselves (where from, interesting facts, family, etc)
• Level of interest and experience in conducting research, completion of the PharmD IV paper
• Include pictures, symbols or other visual images as a backdrop to presentation
