Teaching in the Cloud

Transcription

1 Teaching in the Cloud FITL 2010 R. I. T

2 Overview What is cloud computing? Some background. Why cloud computing? Our motivation. How we ve used the cloud. What worked well/some problems. Student opinions. Moving to the cloud? How you might use the cloud.

3 What is Cloud Computing? Web-accessible, Pay as You Go computing. Some example perspectives: Cloud Computing Explained Cloud Computing Plain and Simple Larry Ellison What the hell is cloud computing? =related

4 Cloud Computing in Academia From our perspective in academia, cloud computing can be defined as: Using scalable, virtual computing resources provided by vendors as a service over the Web to support the requirements of a specific set of curricula without the need for local infrastructure investment.

5 Cloud Service Categories Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) High-level application frameworks Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) Intermediate software development tools Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) Low-level hardware and virtual machines Salesforce.com, NetSuite Google App Engine, Microsoft Azure Amazon EC2 + S3, 3tera

6 Our Motivation An attractive and exciting new technology. Poised as a potential new disruptive technology. Student benefits: Interesting. Increased employment opportunities. Added convenience & flexibility. Department benefits: Help reduce contention for limited lab space. Help reduce lab overhead costs. Possible distance alternative.

7 Our Implementation Database Architecture & Implementation course, since AY Database implementation and administration theory, plus best practices. Active-learning teaching model. 7 computer-based lab exercises. Midterm and final examinations with practicums. Undergraduate + graduate students.

8 Our Implementation Grant from Amazon for $100 per student each quarter, so far.

9 ~ Quick Demo ~

10 Pros & Cons Benefits: Flexibility for students can work anywhere. Use fosters developing investigative learning skills. No cost supported by Amazon grant. However, must remember to shut down AMI image! Problems: Image creation ~complex + time consuming. Slow/variable AMI startup and access performance. Must understand AMI OS, and be comfortable with both GUI and command-line interfaces.

11 ISSUE Completion Rate for Labs The course consists of significant lab exercises. Worth 20% of their grade. High correlation between completing all the lab assignments and doing well on lab practical exams. Undergraduate students were less likely to complete lab exercises using the cloud. Graduate students completed a the same rate as before.

12 Undergrad Lab Completion Using RIT Lab Server Using Cloud Server Completed >= 100% 56% 33% Completed >= 90% 67% 57% Completed >= 80% 78% 67% Completed >= 70% 86% 73% There has also been a decrease in practical exam grades.

13 Course Correction In winter quarter: Tightened schedule for lab completion for credit. Increased 100% lab completion rate from 27% to 39% Course will more to active learning model (integrated labs).

14 Student Feedback Pre-Experience Questionnaire -- Day #1 background knowledge & preconceptions 73.7 % had heard about Cloud Computing. 94.7% felt they knew little or nothing about it. 57.9% had used it before. Google docs; course projects 52.6% yes / 36.9% willing / 10.5 % neutral about using. Interested in learning; emerging technology; convenience 21.1% easier / 68.4% same / 10.5% harder to use. Unsure what to expect

15 # Students Student Feedback Responses 12 1 Pre-disposition: How would you feel about paying say $25 per course to do database courses in the cloud? 0 No way! Neutral No problem

16 Student Feedback Midterm Questionnaire 91.7% better than going to lab. 75% had no real problems. Slow startup; slower response time; tricky; copying server information problematic Biggest benefit: flexibility to work anywhere! Learned something new 91.7% positive / 8.3% negative about continued use. 75% positive / 25% neutral on expanding use across the curriculum.

17 Student Feedback I would like to learn more about setting up a [cloud-based] server Overall, cloud computing is good for learning Oracle. Just compatibility issues and speed. Sometimes it s a bit slow depending on [the] Internet connection It s a nice service.

18 GA/Tutor Feedback Students need pre-training to really understand and effectively use this technology. Because students are not tied to an on-campus lab for homework, some wait too long to get help. Exacerbates poor study skills. Many students don t use the available online technical resources effectively. Try to get by with instructions, i.e. process, rather than investing time for real understanding.

19 Moving to the Cloud? U s e r s Service User Integrator Author Developer * Education Sales CRM Industry SaaS PaaS IaaS Cloud-Vendor Selection Model Service Providers

20 Task Check List Approach for Vendor Selection Course Objective Required Tools / 785 Task #1: Create a fully functional Oracle database. Task #2: Database: Oracle 11g Server OS: CentOS Client OS: Microsoft Windows Administrator = Service Author: develops cloud image to meet needs of the end users instructor + students. Course Users Mapped to Cloud Users Instructor = End User: uses the cloud image for replicating + testing educational activities. Student = Author + End User: uses the cloud image to learn how to build + manage a database. Service Provider Amazon AWS (IaaS)

21 Conclusion Overall, a qualified success. Students definitely like the flexibility of being able to work when and where it is convenient. Requires good systems administration and tutoring support. Actual cost could be an issue for some students. Where are we going from here? We ll be looking closely at various Cloud options and their applicability to our curriculum.

22 Contacting Us Prof. Edward Holden, Info. Sci. & Tech Prof. Dianne P. Bills, Information Sci. & Tech Prof. Jai Kang, Information Sci. & Tech