Life Up in the Clouds

We probably no longer think of a big conglomeration of water vapor when we hear somebody talk about "the cloud" anymore. Instead, we think (or at least I do) of the ever-changing amoeba containing massive amounts of global data that makes up the internet. However, the cloud is not intangibly living out in all of space like many believe. It is made up of various data centers and servers physically located all over the world. 

What I find to be most interesting about the massive amount of information out in the cloud is how much of it is widely accessible. Not only are most websites universally accessible, but much of the user-end information is collectible such as search histories, preferences, locations, and much more. Google and other large tech companies have began utilizing this data in advanced (and sometimes scary) ways. They can use this information to individually target and appeal to people's interests and tendencies. In this way they shape the online environment to each individual in order to fit them the best.

While this may seem frightening, I am struck by the implications this could have on education. Recent educational practices have heavily focused on inclusivity through an approach called UDL (Universal Design for Learning) in order to create a classroom experience that best fits each individual students preferences and learning needs. I am not too sure where this will lead to, but I am almost certain that the methods of Google's approach to marketing will inevitably be integrated into or adopted by the educational system. When we have so much online data already collected by AIs on a person's preferences, interests, and habits, then why shouldn't this data be applied to students in school to better individualize their learning experience, as well?