The Potentials of Using Cloud Computing in Schools: A Systematic Literature Review

Cloud Computing (CC) refers to the physical structure of a communications network, where data is saved and stored in large data centers and thus can be accessed anywhere, at any time and from different devices. It is evident that the integration and adoption of CC and discontinuation of an alternative ICT includes some underlying reasons. Optimistically, these reasons can be interpreted as the potentials of using cloud computing and as the functions or values that circumvent or solve some of the existing challenges with other form of educational technology. This systematic literature review identifies and categorizes the potentials of cloud-based teaching in schools in an international perspective. This study applied Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology for determining the articles and for reporting the analysis. 510 articles were identified from ERIC, IEEE Xplore, Science Direct and Primo, and after screening and eligibility checking, 13 articles focusing on “cloud computing and school” were included for qualitative analysis and meta-analysis. The papers are coded, from which 31 themes are devised, and five categories are made to group the themes. The integration and adoption of CC in schools is associated with five broad factors, 1. globalization (easier access to education, data access everywhere/accessibility/infrastructure, 21st Century Skills), 2. Educational benefits (motivation, teacher-parent communication, collaboration, flexibility, productivity, creativity, Self-organized learning, communication, sharing of knowledge, problem solving, responsible students/peer review/no bad excuses), 3. administrative benefits (economy — operations, computer lifetime, licenses; timesaving, BYOD, software diversity), 4. barriers (technical barriers, cultural barriers, security, privacy, laws and regulations for schools, age restrictions/parent acceptance, and opacity), 5. implementation (management support, paradigm shift in education, incongruence between implementation strategies).