Introduction
There is a lot of buzz out in the learning management world about “cloud
computing”—that big server in the sky. Many organizations are racing to
be the first to harness the cloud’s power in order to create, implement, and
deliver more effective applications.
There is no doubt about it—cloud computing is a game changer—particularly
for the relationship between the IT department and the learning organization.
Traditionally, IT worked side-by-side with the learning organization,
creating platforms and applications that delivered needed information and
training. This has often been a slow and labor-intensive process rife with
delays and potential roadblocks to efficient implementation. Often, the
needs of learning were not assigned the highest priority by the IT group.
However, the cloud promises to change all that—reducing development
time and moving learning to a high priority customer status in the eyes of
its cloud services provider.
From the learning management executive’s standpoint, several processes
change in a cloud environment. Let’s look at the advantages the cloud
presents. First, it creates a higher sense of autonomy to the entire organization
and individual. The cloud allows relevant, tailored content to be
created for users without the dependence upon IT to modify, update, or
implement any component of the delivery platform. Cloud computing also
contributes to “greener,” more efficient systems, with less waste. Some
even tout that the cloud offers a richer learning experience due to its “open
source” nature—allowing the contributions of many to enrich applications
and the learning environment.
What are the disadvantages to cloud computing? Some may argue that
cloud computing forces organizations to buy into locked, proprietary sys
tems that will cost them more over time. Others are concerned with how
company data is protected and controlled within the cloud.
In light of the advantages/disadvantages of cloud computing, how are organizations
accessing LMS, LCMS, social networking, collaboration, content
development, instructional delivery, assessments, and other learning
applications? What is the current view of the Software as a Service (SaaS)
model for accessing applications for training versus employing the services
of a centralized IT organization?
In a recent Learning Executive Think Tank discussion, Tom Kelly, former
learning executive at Cisco and Oracle; Tom Clancy, Vice President of Education
Services at EMC Corporation; and Jim Hanlin, President and Founder
of Best Training Resources met with a handful of top learning executives
to discuss how the emergence of cloud computing will impact SaaS and
centralized IT for learning applications. Specifically, learning leaders were
asked:
“How do you anticipate that the emergence of cloud computing will impact
SaaS and centralized IT for learning applications?”
