Cloud Collaboration: Cloud-based Instruction for Business Writing Class

Abstract

Cloud computing technologies, such as Google Docs, Adobe Creative Cloud, Dropbox, and Microsoft Windows Live, have become increasingly appreciated to the next generation digital learning tools. Cloud computing technologies encourage students' active engagement, collaboration, and participation in their learning, facilitate group work, and support knowledge or information sharing among students. With the cloud features, learning can be accessed anywhere at any time and the world can be a classroom. Students can learn from anywhere and teachers can teach from anywhere. Cloud-based app features such as convenient and on-demand network access to a shared pool of files are indeed providing support for learning and instruction. Learning is now turned into anywhere learning and collaboration, both locally and globally. This study focuses the scope of potential of these cloud technologies for future educators to develop an understanding of how they can be embraced into the instruction. This is a case-study research (n= 28) into the use of cloud-based technology, Google Docs, to support learning in a face-to-face college business writing class. Data pertaining to student Google Docs use and activities will be collected. The first section of this study summarizes the definition of cloud computing technologies with examples of cloud resources. The second section determines the effects of technology, specifically the integration of cloud computing technologies with business English writing instruction, on students' perception of teacher's role. The following section identifies the potential benefits to learning and teaching from cloud-based learning environment.

Cloud-Based Collaborative Writing to Develop EFL Students’ Writing Quantity and Quality

“…The Internet has become learners' new world where most of their interactions take place (Ramírez, 2013). Cloud-based technology is one of the significant tools of web communications (Limbu, 2012) employing the Internet and enormous remote servers to save files, software, and applications so that mobile devices or computers can reach (Lin, Yu, & Wang, 2014). Low cost, convenient interface, accessibility, sharing features, and most importantly, a higher efficiency in supporting collaboration (Yim, Warschauer, Zheng, & Lawrence, 2014) are all potential affordances that make cloud-based technologies more attractive than traditional learning environments (Smith & Caruso, 2010).…”

“…Cloud-based technologies do not only act as a means for collaboration, but as an essential component of collaboration (Zhou, Simpson, & Domizi, 2012). Therefore, educators are turning their attention to cloud computing technologies to enhance collaboration (Al-Cattan, 2014; Guoli & Wanjun, 2010), facilitate communication (Al-Samarraie & Saeed, 2018), and support knowledge sharing among learners (Chu & Kennedy, 2011;Lin et al, 2014). Consequently, it is largely expected that in the near future, cloud tools will have a significant impact on education, enabling both learners and teachers to do their work effectively with less cost (Zurita, Baloian, & Frez, 2014).…”

Benefits and Challenges of Cloud Computing Adoption and Usage in Higher Education

“…While the main justification for CC use in HE is to reduce IT-infrastructure costs and facilitate the teaching and learning process (organisational level), students can also take advantage of not having to purchase additional computing equipment as they can learn via the cloud (user level), which does not require extra resources, just an Internet connection, and so that they can collaborate and communicate effectively with other students and teachers on the cloud (Al-Badi et al, 2017;Babin & Halilovic, 2017;Lin et al, 2014;Shayan et al, 2014;Truta, 2015). The SLR is organised into two categories to assess CC adoption: determining whether or not Universities have adopted CC and specific outcomes regarding the successful implementation of CC in HE.…”

Reviews of Cloud Computing for Education: Services and Benefits

“…Cloud computing can be an essential service for effective learning from the student perspective, student exhibited positive interdependence towards collaborative learning among peers and achieved better academic grade using of cloud computing as a learning instruction for example Google Docs used for business writing (Lin et al, 2014). Frequent social interaction, hearing and speaking practices are essentials in language education, video chat like Skype and Google Hangouts provide these opportunities and alternative to the traditional classroom instruction (Khampusaen, 2014).…”