The Design and Evaluation of a Hands-on Course on Cloud Computing Environment

This paper presents the design and evaluation of one course on cloud computing. The course aims to strengthen students' understanding of the cloud and the technologies used in constructing it. The literature shows expansion in the use of cloud computing services in various fields, and courses that deepen the understanding of the new environment's structure and use-scenarios are necessary to ensure graduates have the skills required in the cloud computing paradigm. The course aims to elevate the students to the 'Application' level in Bloom's Taxonomy concerning cloud computing. The author delivered this course for four academic years to students who had previously accumulated various programming and system administration skills. The students answered quizzes designed to assess their understanding, completed a set of practical activities on topics covering a selected group of could computing technologies, and finally provided their feedback on their experiences. Course evaluation shows 1) a high level of understanding of the cloud computing environment, 2) increased ability to use the different tools to apply what students have learned, and 3) a high level of satisfaction with the course design.