Blockchain has the potential to revolutionize education. Crypto assets, like cryptocurrencies and digital tokens, are becoming more advanced with each passing day. Blockchain is a digital ledger that records all transactions made within an ecosystem in a secure and decentralized manner.
It could be used to record everything from financial transactions to educational activities and even the personal information of students. The technology can help reduce fraud, increase security, enhance transparency and optimize processes. Here are some amazing uses of blockchain technology in education:
Smart Contracts
Contracts have been a normal part of life for thousands of years. However, it wasn’t until the emergence of the internet that the concept of smart contracts was introduced. The idea behind it is straightforward. It involves using code to enable the exchange of things of value between two parties with certain terms and conditions embedded into the contract. For example, if student A earns a grade of 4, then teacher B has to give him/her a grade of 5.
How would you write that code? It’s not that easy to put it into practice because it raises a lot of questions such as who will ensure that the terms and conditions of the contract are followed, who will be responsible if something goes wrong, etc.
Tokenized Curriculum
New educational models are emerging that involve the use of blockchain-based learning platforms to teach various subjects. The platforms serve as digital record-keepers where all relevant educational data is stored and accessible. Students are issued tokens that can be used to purchase learning materials and pay for tuition. Tokenized Curriculum could transform the entire education industry by allowing for much more customized and flexible learning experiences.
For example, on a blockchain-based platform, students could create their own courses and sell them to other students on the platform. Or, they could choose pre-made courses that are ‘tokenized’ with the help of smart contracts. Students will be able to concentrate on what they really want to learn without being distracted by the requirements of a school’s curriculum.
Crypto Guardians
The idea behind Crypto Guardians is to create a system that rewards students for good behaviour and punishes them for bad behaviour on the blockchain. The guardian system can be used to make decisions that have the potential to change the lives of students. The system is decentralized, public, and controlled by the people it serves. It’s like a kind of “peer-to-peer” education system where students determine their own learning path, educators are rewarded for their efforts, and the whole system is powered by blockchain technology.
DAO in Education
Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAO) have gained a lot of popularity in the past few years. DAO stands for a decentralized organization that runs autonomously without a central authority. There are many possible applications of a DAO. One of them is using blockchain technology to create a decentralized autonomous education platform. The platform will use a DAO model for governance. It will have stakeholders who will be able to make decisions regarding the use of funds. This will allow the platform to offer a wide variety of educational services and also pay per service.
Decentralized Exchange
Another amazing use of blockchain technology in education is a decentralized exchange. The main idea behind a decentralized exchange is to take the control of the trading of cryptocurrency out of the hands of centralized exchanges. This will make trading more accessible to a wider market of cryptocurrency traders. It is likely that the demand for decentralized exchanges will increase as regulatory compliance and trading become more regulated.
Distributed Ledder Technology (DLT)
DLT technology allows the creation of a decentralized system that is accessible via the internet. Blockchain technology is one of the most widely recognized DLT systems — it is the foundation for most other systems. A blockchain is a decentralized system where information is shared via a network of computers. Each computer has a copy of the shared information and updates to the information are verified and confirmed across the network. Blockchain can be used for a variety of applications, including healthcare and education. One particularly intriguing use case is in education.
Smart Contracts and oracles
A smart contract is like a traditional contract, but it uses blockchain technology. The advantage is that it is decentralized, transparent, and verifiable. It is also difficult to change once complete because of the audit trail. Smart contracts can automate the execution of complex business processes while ensuring compliance and eliminating human errors that can occur in traditional contracts. One particularly interesting use case is in education.
Less Recourse to Authentication Systems
With blockchain, there is no need for verifiable records or centralized authorities like a school district or state to authenticate academic records. Instead, each student maintains their own personal blockchain database and can prove academic progress without relying on a third party. This way of handling academic records has many benefits, including more privacy and security. For example, if a student’s blockchain records are compromised, it could potentially jeopardize their future.
Secure Records Management
Blockchain has the potential to revolutionize record management for schools. Schools often rely on paper-based systems for managing student records. Paper-based systems are often subject to inefficiency and security risks. Using blockchain technology, schools could save time and money on maintaining paper-based systems. Instead of scanning paper records and sending them back and forth, schools could use blockchain to share records across systems.
Blockchain could also help manage regulatory requirements related to student data. It could help schools comply with requirements such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
Peer-to-Peer Network
Blockchain networks could enable students to create decentralized networks that share resources, such as notes and assignments. Students could also access course materials and assignments across the network, eliminating the need for teachers to manage everything. This peer-to-peer network model could also enable more flexibility for teachers and students.
For example, teachers could assign coursework using blockchain-enabled technologies, allowing students to access assignments across the network and complete them in their own time. This model could also enable greater collaboration across the class, allowing students to work together to support each other and help track each other’s work.
Boon or Bane?
The fact that blockchain technology is a boon doesn’t mean that every use of blockchain technology is a boon. In fact, there are many uses of blockchain technology that not only don’t have much use, they actually have negative use cases. The blockchain is not a cure-all and can be used for both good and bad. So, it’s important to understand the pros and cons of blockchain technology before implementing it into any business.
Bottomline
The article discussed the amazing uses of blockchain technology in education. The use of blockchain technology can really transform the education industry and help students get a better education experience. However, it’s important to note that there are both good and bad uses of blockchain technology in education. Students and parents must understand the difference between the two before making any decision to implement blockchain technology in their lives.