Can education find any cases of the use of blockchain technology? Can this technology be implemented to the management and learning of education?

The implementation of the blockchain technology system to education begins to be a new reality. The interest for this system is growing in all areas, so it isn’t surprising that the world of education also wants to bet on the blockchain. To some extent, the way in which teachers, internal staff and students work in academic institutions is already changing. In fact, there are already concrete examples of experiences that are being explored and implemented. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Open University of the United Kingdom are some of the pioneering centers in the educational sector that are experimenting with the blockchain.

The blockchain is a database formed by a blockchain that allows you to transfer digital information. The data is distributed in nodes in a decentralized way, therefore, without intermediaries and without the risk of being erased. This is a modern system that facilitates information and ensures the privacy of the user. The best known use of this system is that of the financial sector. In the case of the academic field, following the same line, it can be used to pay for the enrollments. In Europe there are already universities that accept bitcoins as a means of payment, for example, to name a few, we find the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Lucerne in Switzerland, the business school ESMT in Berlin or the University of Nicosia in Cyprus, this last one, it is the first in the world to accept this digital currency.

The blockchain goes beyond making money transfers

For example, there is an option to issue academic certificates through blockchain. In this way, the validation of university degree information can be guaranteed and avoid forgery. Academic centers such as the Carlos III University of Madrid or the ISDI business school, also from Spain, since last year they have started to introduce it. This year the National University of Colombia has begun a pilot program to deliver the first certificates in blockchain. Previously we had to have our certificate printed on the paper and it took time. Now this is over. You can get it straight away by clicking on a link.

In fact, the study carried out by the European Commission in 2017 on education and the blockchain, mentions different possible scenarios of this system applied in an educational context, one of which is about the certificates. There are also talks about “using blockchains to verify multi-step accreditation, Providing student funding via blockchains, in terms of vouchers, Using a blockchain for automatic recognition and transfer of credits, Using a blockchain as a lifelong learning passport or Blockchain for tracking intellectual property and rewarding use and, re-use of that property.” There are many possibilities and even though blockchain is still quite recent and is being explored, we can see, however, as more and more universities from all over the world are beginning to develop and explore the various ways in which they can benefit from it. Another recent case is the agreement between Billon, Microsoft and the University of Warsaw to cooperate in projects and work on the blockchain.



The blockchain in classrooms

Not only is this system used in the management and operation of the academic centers, but it also is studied; there are courses, master’s degrees and specializations. The blockchain has been introduced even into the smaller children’s classrooms. We find primary schools that explore experience this system, for example, pupils at the Wooranna Park in Australia have studied cryptomonets.

On the other hand, we also find companies like Sony that have created platforms, in this case Sony Global Education, to record results and academic evaluations, among other uses.“By using blockchain”, they explain on their website, “the authenticity of the transcript will be secured and the examiner will be able to manage their data and share it with others safely”. Or the Blockcerts project, as it says on this web, it’s an “open standard for creating, issuing, viewing, and verifying blockchain-based certificates”.

It seems therefore that this technological system based on the block chain is also revolutionizing the educational system. Nelson Mandela said that the “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the worlds” and it seems that it will be accompanied by a new reality, the blockchain.