CAS’s “Cloud Devils” teach the teachers
Since the start of the school year, a dedicated group of seven students within the year 7 and 8 classes at Collingwood Area School have been working with part-time IT teacher Geoff Scrimgeour to develop their skills in the use of Google Apps (Applications).
Calling themselves the Cloud Devils, referring to “cloud computing” or internet-based computing, whereby shared resources, software and information are provided to computers and devices on demand, a bit like the electricity grid. The Google Apps program combines everyday uses such as mail, websites, calendar and documents into one convenient package.
The group travelled to Nelson on 9 August and taught their skills to selected groups of students at three schools in the one day—Tahunanui Primary, Hampden Street and Nelson Intermediate—finishing with an instruction session that included teaching the teachers.
“We taught three different ages—years 3, 7 and 8—and even teachers, year 99!” said one of the CAS students involved, Ashleigh Beck. “We were a little nervous about teaching those teachers, but as we got into it we found it was easy, but I found teaching the principals even easier. When I got home I also taught my brother and Mum (that was hard) how to use Google Apps.”
Overall, the CAS students found cloud computing an exciting exercise. Another student, Paige Leslie, said it allowed them do all sorts of things, like making websites, sharing documents, and sending mail.
“And make our own YouTube, talk to our mobile phones (well, if we had enough money), and make groups. We even found it was easy to add gadgets like maps, games and calendars to our sites. Soon we will be making another trip to Nelson to teach more schools, but this time it will be mostly secondary students and teachers. This might be a little scary.”
Teacher Geoff Scrimgeour said the exercise had been well worth it.
“It’s been a huge learning curve for the kids and a great achievement for them.”
CAS’s Cloud Devils are Awatea Birch, Joshua Richards, Turi Hikuroa, Sarah Robinson, Paige Leslie, Clarissa Barham and Ashleigh Beck. Watch out for them: they may be coming soon to a computer screen near you.
Gerard Hindmarsh
