The article entitled, “Live@Edu grows, evolves into Office 365 for Education, leapfrogs Google Apps for Education,” by Christopher Dawson.
In 2011, Microsoft Corporation; the largest software developing corporation in the world launched “office 365 software” that has unique and advanced features and applications for students, teachers and educational systems. Dawson, points out that Microsoft Corporation had organized a cloud computing campaign called “we are all in” before launching office 365 software in the market. However, most people did not believe that the plan was going to work, but the introduction of office 356 has proved them wrong. The author articulates that office 365 provides students with a powerful platform for sharing information, ideas, opinions, and educational researchers; an idea that improves learning process. Office 365 Software has a web application and online exchange platform known as Live@Edu that allows learning institutions to store and exchange information online. In his analysis, Dawson confirms that institutions use Live@Edu platform effectively because it can support email application and IM features. Using Live@Edu platform, teachers can post class assignments, reading materials and share information with students effectively thus making learning an enjoyable exercise. Dawson articulates that more than fifteen million students use Live@ Edu daily and he anticipates that more students will join this imperative platform.
The Article entitled, “Office 365 for Education,” by Allen Filush
In his opening remarks, Allen seconds Dawson argument that the number of students using Live@Edu platform has increased tremendously. In the last three months, this number has increased from eleven million to fifteen million users. Allen pre-empts that learning institutions and students will benefit from using office 365 software that provides free SharePoint and lync platforms respectively. Availability of SharePoint platform allows students upload course work materials, exchange and share educational materials and class assignments easily. Additionally, SharePoint platform enable students to edit their documents wherever they are as long as there is internet. This is possible because SharePoint environment has Office Web Applications. During holidays, students can still share documents, exchange information, and communicate with their friends and classmate because SharePoint support Mysite features. Educational systems and course facilitators can use this platform to store and share information with students, administration staff, and other third parties. Based on this assertion, it remains clear that introduction of Office 365 Software provides students and educational system with favorable learning tools and platforms; an idea that improves learning process and quality of education.
References
Dawson, C. (2011, January 11). Live@Edu grows, evolves into Office 365 for Education, leapfrogs Google Apps for Education | ZDNet. ZDNet | Technology News, Analysis, Comments and Product Reviews for IT Professionals. Retrieved May 21, 2013, from http://www.zdnet.com/blog/education/liveedu-grows-evolves-into-office-365-for-education-leapfrogs-google-apps-for-education/4442
Filush, A. (2013, January 2). Office 365 - Office 365 for education. The Microsoft Office Blog. Retrieved May 21, 2013, from http://blogs.office.com/b/microsoft_office_365_blog/archive/2011/01/11/office-365-for-education.aspx?PageIndex=5
