Blockchain in Online Education

Hi, here you are, again connected to the Blockchain news channel. Have you already had enough of isolation? Are you looking for hugs? Hugs are normally free of charge but in time of coronavirus pandemic they are scarce resources. Don’t want to scare you but #Stayathome is going to be our reality at least for next couple of months. Meanwhile, we all are getting used to virtual classes, web conferences and online studies. Even some examinations and presentation have moved to the web. For most of us e-learning is not a novelty. It has been used by millions of people in the world as a pleasant addition to the face-to-face education. But who could imagine that it will become a substitution to the real communication and interaction with teachers and peers for most of us for such a continuous period? None of us could picture the whole system of education: schools and universities, transferred online. However, we are all experiencing it now. We becoming best friends with online schooling. But what exactly do we know about online education? What we know for sure is that, despite of its advantages, the online education system is not finely-tuned and in some cases requires serious improvement. Blockchain offers solution to solve problems in nearly every industry and system of education could benefit from using Blockchain. Today I will explain, how Blockchain can open the door to the future, where online education will be as valuable as formal education. Being such a multi-optional solution, Blockchain technology seems to be a key to multiple modern problems which exist due to the lack of trust and prevalence of the broker’s mentality in the business practices. The number of Internet users will grow rapidly together with the Internet speed. 5G network will open plenty of doors to the savvy users. Social distancing and thirst for knowledge will be a perfect combination for innovations in online education.

Nowadays, plenty of credible and time-proven online platforms offer online courses from the top-ranked universities, like Stanford or MIT. Hundreds of thousand people sign-up for those online courses. However, only 2% of all the enrolled participant completed the studies. Why is this number so small? The main reason is the lack of motivation because student’s efforts in study did not result in getting diploma or degree credit from Stanford or MIT. And, it is completely understandable: for all the work done, we want to get some reward. https://www.cygnismedia.com/blog/blockchain-for-online-education/

Transparency and security of Blockchain technology could be an answer to the question: How to overcome the motivational paradox and grow credibility to online education? There are different possibilities which can be used in combination with the experience and achievements of already existing online-platforms, in combination with each other and completely separate.

1. Qualifications and study progress ledger

After completing an online-course the educator can verify and join the ledger of the student in order to add the obtained degrees and qualifications. The ledger has a date and encryption, so, it is impossible to modify it by the student in question or by anybody else. Afterwards, the public blockchain and its transparency will make it possible for an employer to check all the required information about the education of a candidate. The employer cannot modify the information but only verify. Like this, the chances of fraud or diploma falsification will be minimized as all the students will have their certificates available online. For the students it is very convenient that there is no more need to carry the documents along.

2. Identification and tracking

This feature is very useful for digital nomads or expats. The data pool of candidates can be accessed and verified by different industries and employers  on the multinational level. Anywhere on the globe this information can become transparent being approved by the owner of data. The headhunters have an ability to get a perfect candidate from a pool of candidates just matching criteria against the courses completed. The candidates then can be approached and asked for interview from anywhere in the world.

3. Security against data theft

The decentralized nature of Blockchain can provide the level of security which none of the existing online platforms may offer. The information of all student is not stored on the server but on the private server or computer which eliminates the attack points. To reach the data the hacker needs first to find the initial data source. And, if the Blockchain network is extensive, it is not an easy task to do. The chronological chain and encryption is another security shield.

4. Decentralized education

Decentralized platforms and online education can become disruptive for the e-learning market-players today. Using Blockchain technology makes the work of middle-men unnecessary. The learning process takes place on the peer-to-peer basis without constraints implied by the centralized platforms. Decentralization also reduces costs because there is no need to pay a brokerage fee.

https://hackernoon.com/what-blockchain-technology-can-do-for-online-education-88b6e2da7e7d

Summary:

Online education has a bright future. Blockchain too. They need each other. In the time of hard decisions and disinformation we strive for transparency and security. The knowledge base which is available now will just benefit form Blockchain technology. Millions of people who have no chances to obtain a degree from the well-known university because it is too expensive to study there or it is too far to travel there, will be able to get educated online, authenticate and secure their qualifications. The certification online will become possible without actual visiting the university or educational institution. Blockchain can connect the teachers and students around the world without being obliged to or discarded by the centralized online platforms. Smart contracts and biometrical data together with encryption and decentralized storage will secure all the student’s data like nowhere on the centralized server. Head-hunters and employers will find the perfect candidate from the verified and secure network. All of it is too good to be true but it depends entirely on us which path we choose.

“Be careful. People like to be told what they already know. Remember that. They get uncomfortable when you tell them new things. New things… well, new things aren’t what they expect… In short, what people think they want is news, but what they really crave is olds… Not news but olds, telling people that what they think they already know is true.”
Lord Vetinari (Terry Pratchett)