8 Promising Applications of Blockchain Technology in Education

Education is one sector that is traditionally very slow in adopting new methodologies and, yes, technologies. In fact, one could go into many classrooms today and see that not a great deal has changed over the years. But while institutions have been slow to embrace technology, today the sector witnessing a great deal of disruption – ever-increasing utilization of computers in the classroom, online courses and degree programs, and teacher and administrative use of software to streamline most of their functions.
 

The next disruption to education may well be blockchain technology. As it has moved from cryptocurrency and other fintech sectors into areas of healthcare, insurance, investment, etc., the possibilities for education are becoming clear too. In fact, as education becomes more decentralized and diversified, there is still a need to maintain standards, transparency, and trust, and blockchain may be the answer. Consider that “transactions” within education can be entered into blocks that cannot be altered, and you can see the possibilities.
 

Here are eight applications of blockchain for education that may indeed revolutionize what has traditionally been a cumbersome and “paper heavy” industry.

Immutable Storage of Academic Records

Student academic records are critical. These records often determine university or graduate school admissions. When transcripts, participation in activities, and other elements can be codified permanently with no chance of future errors or fraud, there is an increase in trust in those records.
 

Immutable Records of Certifications
 

As Mr Tom Whale, the marketing manager for the prestigious Oxford Summer School points out, “Many educational programs result in certifications – teaching, law, medicine, information systems, etc. When these certifications can be entered into blocks, they become permanent records that are not subject to hacking, fraud, or loss. Paper and data based records are no longer necessary. As individuals with these certifications become increasingly “globalized,” those certifications provide a centralized database of “proof.”

Just last year, Sony partnered with IBM to develop a blockchain platform for storage and sharing of educational records, with the express purpose of eliminating fraud and making it easier for third parties to have trusted access during recruitment and employment selection processes.
 

Greater Sharing Among Researchers/Authors
 

One of the issues that has always faced researchers is their intellectual property. They are often unwilling to share important results for fear that others will “steal” their work or corrupt it in some way. With blockchain recording of research results, ownership is clear, and researchers will be far more willing to share and collaborate with their counterparts all over the world. All of society benefits when brilliant minds cooperate.
 

Continued Professional Development
 

Many professions require continuing education in order to maintain their certifications. And as they change jobs, they need a record of their continuing ed completion that is not subject to human error or “lost” records. Blockchain solves this problem
 

Proof of MOOC Course Completion
 

MOOCS continue to disrupt education and training, as students from all over the globe enroll in courses that will be beneficial to their careers and qualify them for new jobs and careers. When course completion can be added to a block, it becomes a permanent open record.
 

Payment Transactions
 

Students pay tuition and fees, pay for individual courses, and make payments on loans once they have graduated. Blockchain can eliminate any issues of payments.
 

Streamlining Transfers of Records
 

Right now, students who transfer to other school, must go through a process of requesting their transcripts, and these must be sent as official documents from one school to another. This involves time and hassle, and often fees. This bureaucratic function can be eliminated if transcript records are house in a block for all to see.
 

Curriculum Content
 

Often, when students wish to transfer course credits to another institution, there can be a question of whether a course contains the same content as the course for which it is to be substituted. When course curricula are entered into blockchain, there is an easy and trusted method for determining the “transferability” of one course for another.

Blockchain is not a “magic bullet” for education. It won’t make teaching and learning more effective or relevant. What it can do, however, is eliminate the bureaucracy, the issues of altered or lost records, and provide the “proof” that teachers, students, researchers, administrators, and institutions need to have to maintain their reputations and trust.