Introduction into Cloud Computing

Here is an original post that I published in September of 2019 when initially selecting my two topics or focus areas for my blog. The first was on Content Management Systems (CMS) and this page is dedicated to the second or Cloud Computing. Here is what I originally posted to reframe the direction I'm taking this blog....but don't fret- I'll still make the connection between CMS and cloud computing and the way ahead (in my opinion).

Cloud Computing 

According to dictionary. com, cloud computing is the practice of using a network of remote servers hosted on the internet to store, manage and process data, rather than a local server or personal computer. (dictionary.com, 2019)

 

So why cloud computing? Why is this important to me and the above topic (CMS)? 

According to infoworld.com- cloud computing has two meanings an refers to workloads remotely over the internet or from a pool of resources to be shared by groups of people. 

 Furthermore; cloud computing can be categorized by SaaS (Software as a Service), IaaS (Infrastructure as a service), and PaaS (Platform as a Service). 

According to  HCL Technologies, A global technology company that helps enterprises restructure their businesses for the digital age- cloud computing or architecture generally refers to the various components in terms of databases, software applications, engineered to leverage power to solve business problems. the term cloud architecture defines components and relationship between them (HCL Technologies Limited, 2019). 

Below is the differences in above categorization of cloud computing: 

Software as a Service (Saas)- software that is hosted and maintained on the internet. Users do not have to install software locally. Think Amazon Web Service, Google Cloud Platform, Adobe, and IBM Cloud. 

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)- this is what provides for infrastructure and hardware such as servers, networks, storage devices, running the cloud, and available to users in a pay per service basis. Think about the components that companies use to run the cloud- servers, storage space and then sale or rent to users for use. 

Platform as a Service (Paas)- this provides users with the application platforms and databases, equivalent to middleware services. Think- Amazon Web Services Elastic Beanstalk, Windows Azure, and Google App Engine to name a few. 

 https://www.hcltech.com/technology-qa/what-is-cloud-architecture

Now that we've dived in and laid out exactly what cloud computing is with architecture and the general components of a cloud...stay tuned in the next blog we will be talking about content management systems utilization of a cloud and why or why not. To include some examples of cloud computing with content management systems. 

~Nick A.

Learning Content Management Systems

Learning Content Management Systems

Now that we have established what a content management system (CMS)- we will discuss a learning content management system (LMS). 

Although these two systems may have the same letters in their acronym- there are some differences, but both systems have the ability to create the same end result leading to people often times confusing one for the other.  

Let’s Start with the Similarities~

•  Both have the ability to create great website(s)

• Both have the ability to create effective online portals for: 
• Students to sign up for classes

• Engage with content

• Interact with one another

• Both are application used to organize information on a website

• Can be accessed and edited by multiple users on a multitude of computers

• Are fundamental to e-learning.

Now to review what a content management system is…more like a framework and can be used for any purpose that supports an organization’s ability to organize, modify, and present content.  It can be used for teaching and learning, but also to create and upload content such as text, video and images. You can even edit and manage content from multiple computers and accounts to creating layers of access for different levels of users.  

Now- a learning management system is unlike a CMS because it’s designed for learning. It can be built like a CMS (WordPress as an example), but the back end or behind the scenes applications are more user friendly.  On LMS’s, it’s easy to post educational or training content like videos, images, and text. You can also organized your content by courses and classes; edit courses, classes, schedules and grades; to include tracking students’ progress and view student’s activities. 

The advantages of a LMS over a CMS is that LMS’s are simply about speed, simplicity, and efficiency with easy to use functionality.  They are customizable and provide flexibility for designing, organizing, and creating content to support your goals and objectives.  

Johnson, N. (2019).  Content management systems (CMS) vs. learning management systems (LMS).

Retrieved from https://flyplugins.com/content-management-system-cms-vs-learning-management-system-lms/

Below are some LMS for you to take a look at! Has anyone used or is familiar with any of the following LMS’? 

Tovuti- cloud based solution

Bridge- employee development platform

Coassemble (formerly eCoach)- cloud based learning management system solution

Docebo- cloud based LMS

PiiQ- (formerly Cornerstone Growth Edition- cloud based employee performance LMS

Saba- cloud providing learning and talent management applications

Skyprep- cloud based learning management solution

Ti- Thought Industries- cloud based learning business platform

Prosperity- software system design to manage employees training programs

Braincert- LMS light platform to deliver online training

Vairkko- eLearning cloud based LMS

Auzmor- cloud based LMS for business and employees training

Absorb- cloud based LMS

Cornerstone OnDemand- cloud based performance management solution

Crowd Wisdom- LMS 

Below is the rest of the list…

https://www.softwareadvice.com/lms/learning-content-management-system-comparison/

I’ve attached an article about the use of CMS by Universities- surprisingly enough is that WordPress is the most used CMS by universities. 

https://uxdesign.cc/which-content-management-systems-do-us-universities-use-53430cf0f72b