Abstract:

Pedagogical innovation is essential and it leads to a change of learning and teaching patterns. One of the central components of pedagogical innovation associated with technological innovation. In the last years, utilization of cloud computing resources become a hot field in implementing innovative technologies which offer innovative pedagogy in teaching and learning in higher education.

Cloud computing is a distributed information and communication technology (ICT) that offers a variety of required software, hardware, databases and a storage media over the internet. The service allows accessibility to infrastructure on demand. Cloud computing is the next generation platform that enables, institutions and organizations dynamic access to resources as needed, thereby reducing construction costs, maintenance, backup and updating through improved utilization of shared resources and infrastructure over the Internet.

In this study, we examined the perceptions and opinions of pre-service teachers about implementing cloud-computing services for improving their teaching and learning activities. We will also try to show the benefits and limitations of using cloud-computing services in education.

The data were collected with both qualitative and quantitative approaches. For this purpose, an on-line questionnaire were sent to 750 pre-service teachers, from seven higher education institutions (two universities and 5 educational colleges), who learn sciences, mathematics, computer science, special education, early childhood and general education. Two hundred and forty teachers (32%) participated in this study.

The findings showed that students in third and fourth years have more positive opinions (perceptions) towards cloud computing services compared to other students.

The findings indicate that most participants attach very great importance to cloud computing applications as a means of sharing information, communication between colleagues, storage and access to information anywhere at any time.

Keywords:

ICT (Information and Communication Technology), cloud computing, higher educational, pedagogical innovation, 21th century skills, pre-service teachers.