Just a few years ago, only people involved in blockchain knew about the word. Today, most people are familiar with the word, but rarely truly understand how digital ledger technology works and the value propositions it is bringing global business. Often when people here blockchain they think bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, as blockchain is the technology that underpins cryptocurrencies, however, digital currencies are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the different uses for blockchain technology.  This fast-growing emerging technology provides is secure, decentralised, and immutable records that can be applied in many fields, industries, and businesses. Education records are evolving rapidly and there are 5 major ways blockchain can reshape education. 

BLOCKCHAIN IS AN EFFECTIVE AND IMMUTABLE LEDGER

Let start by talking about what are ledgers?

Ledgers are books or data files used for the storing of records such as economic transactions or in education the storing of students’ grades. While hard copies of these are still used, most are stored away electronically using a centralised server and software. The problem is that should the server be hacked, any centralised ledger can be compromised, altered, damaged, or stolen. When records are stored using blockchain the records are immutable, keeping the record tamper-resistant and transparent. 

Blockchain also is known as distributed ledger technology, at its core, is a record-keeping technology. Each digital ledger keeps a full copy of the entire ledger and also continually verifies the integrity of newly recorded information and the copies it stores. If any or even many of these nodes are compromised, the ledger’s full information remains intact.

To learn more about what blockchain technology is and how it works, check out this article. 

5 WAYS BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY THAT CAN RESHAPE EDUCATION

Smart classrooms are growing and blockchain may become an integral part of the education ecosystem. The application of blockchain-based ledger technology can benefit education in many ways, let’s look at some of the ways this disruptive technology can impact our education system. 

Improved student records

One of the most powerful use cases for blockchain in education is transforming recording keeping of grades, degrees, certifications and diplomas. In any academic institution, academic transcripts are time-consuming and labour-intensive. Before a certified transcript is issued, each entry must be manually verified to ensure validity. Another laborious part of certifications is ensuring correct course contents. However, if all student information and records were to be stored in blockchains, with just a few clicks, school register staff can obtain a complete and verified record of grades, registration records, course content, and all academic achievements.

Verification of Qualifications 

Commonly people lie about their level of education and create fake records to make them look more attractive to potential employers. A student’s credentials can be issued and stored on a blockchain to increase security and verification of their qualification. If an employer needs to verify a student’s credentials, the institution only needs to provide the employer with a link to a digital record of the qualification which is stored on the blockchain. This prevents people from submitting fake diplomas and other certificates/transcripts.

Badges

Many industries require industry professional to earn continuing education credits CEC to measure and maintain the qualification of their profession. Badges can be issued on a blockchain to keep a record and verify that professionals are keeping up to date with their skills and capabilities. In addition, individuals may have a master degree in a subject but also speak 3 languages, this can be very attractive for an employer, badges can be issues to verify these additional skills. Platforms like open badge passport are working on solutions for storing these

Publishing Content 

Researchers, professors, teachers, undergrad, and grad students regularly generate materials that need to be published. But publishing anything is a hard and bumpy road. In the past, there has been a lot of history involving papers that were rejected, but needed to be published. These papers would go on to win Nobel Prizes when eventually published. Blockchains can help new researchers, writers, and others get their works to be published, and not just online. Blockchains can also help with rights management and protection against piracy.

Datastore for global assessment

The current system of certification still involves a paper system that is time-consuming to verify and is subject to fraud. With students and workers going globally mobile, a centralised database of credentials and achievements should be a wise investment. People moving to a new country for a new school or work – and even refugees – will benefit from this global database and educational assessment system. 

BLOCKCHAIN CAN TRANSFORM THE EDUCATION SYSTEM

The above mentioned are just a few ways that blockchain can reshape education. Just look at Holburton School in San Francisco, MIT, Boston group of universities, and Princeton University, to name a few. One problem is the lack of blockchain professionals proficient enough in the application of this technology for educational institutions. 

Blockchain Collective is an educational body working with Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) and Universities to deliver a benchmark standard of education that empowers professionals and students with the necessary skills for a future in blockchain technology. The Advanced Diploma of Applied Blockchain 10747NAT is the first-ever in Australia. This course, and the Diploma of Applied Blockchain 10849NAT, also created by Blockchain Collective, are designed to equip people willing to gain knowledge and experience in applying blockchain frameworks to any business framework.