Cloudlab

Introduction

Cloudlab, a project of New Visions for Public Schools, is dedicated to providing educators and school leaders with free and flexible tools to promote the redesign of teaching and learning. They are focused on building, iterating, and supporting add-ons that extend the free Google Apps for Education (GAFE) Platform.

More information on Cloudlab can be found here.

Capabilities, Benefits, and Key Features

Cloudlab has a variety of different add-ons which help users:

  • Easily merge data from a spreadsheet into a Google doc.
  • Automatically copy down formulas on Google form response submissions.
  • Use an interactive rubric to append scores, comments, and voice recordings to student assignments.
  • Turn form responses or spreadsheet data into automated personalized emails.
  • Create student quizzes based on thousands of past New York Regents exam questions.
  • Automate distribution of assignments to students and track activity.
  • Automatically populate your form question choices from spreadsheet data.
  • Create multiple spreadsheets from one master spreadsheet to push and retrieve new data.
  • Create a running log of Google form responses in one or more Google docs.

Limitations / Technology Requirements

Users must be able to log into their Google account via Miami in order to add/use the add-ons.

What can I expect?

  • Support Tier: Tier 1 - Best Effort: While approved for use there is no institutional support for the application. IT Help would make an effort to assist using general technical knowledge. If unable to do so, the user would need to resolve the issue on their own or contact a commercial vendor for assistance.

  • Acquisition Model: Remote Access: Miami provisions a host for instructors or students to use to access the application. Installation of software to access that host may be required. In some cases, a secure (VPN) connection to Miami may be required.

  • Licensing Model: Registered User License: The license is included with online registration.

  • Authentication Model: GSuite or Azure: The application allows users to login using a federated login to Google or MS Azure. If using your Miami account, @miamioh.edu,  on these services, the login is subject to the same requirements as though you logged into those services directly. In many cases, it is possible to use a personal Google or Microsoft account that is unrelated to your Miami account. 

Who may use it?

FSB requested that Cloudlab tools be whitelisted for faculty.

How do I get started?

Faculty can visit Cloudlab's website in order to download the add-ons.

Is there a charge to me or my department?

There is no charge for any of the add-ons.