Blockchain in education: opportunities, applications and challenges
Session
Computer Science and Communication Engineering
Description
Blockchain is a decentralized data storage technology that has received a lot of attention in recent years, extending its application to many fields. At first it was thought that this technology could be used only in the finance sector, but later its uses have expanded to many sectors including education. Blockchain technology has several characteristics that make it suitable for application in systems where transparency is required, the assurance that the data being stored is unchanged. The potential this technology has shown to democratize data, reduce fraud and eliminate data manipulation has made it a transformative tool for many sectors, both public and private. The purpose of this thesis was to investigate what opportunities this technology offers for the education sector, what are its current applications and applications for the future and what are some of the main challenges that arise during the integration of this technology. The results of the research showed that the opportunities that this technology offers for the education sector are numerous. One of them is the verification of digital certificates and transcripts. By harnessing the power of Blockchain, educational institutions can issue indestructible digital credentials where qualifications can be verified with a high degree of reliability. This reduces the risk of manipulation and preserves data integrity. Blockchain has found application in what is known as 'continuous learning' where the record is kept for the whole the student's academic journey. Also, Blockchain offers opportunities and has found application in Peer-to-Peer decentralized learning platforms where educators from all over the world connect and communicate without any intermediaries and barriers. This also helps create more personalized and individual learning experiences. In many countries, Blockchain is also used to reduce the administrative burden by automating processes such as student admission, registration, payments, etc. In this way, efficiency is increased and errors are reduced. Many popular platforms such as Duolingo and Khan Academy have implemented this technology in their systems. Some of the challenges identified were: lack of knowledge about technology, lack of infrastructure for implementation, standards that regulate its work, etc.
Keywords:
blockchain, education, application, opportunities, challenge
Proceedings Editor
Edmond Hajrizi
ISBN
978-9951-550-95-6
Location
UBT Lipjan, Kosovo
Start Date
28-10-2023 8:00 AM
End Date
29-10-2023 6:00 PM
DOI
10.33107/ubt-ic.2023.269
Recommended Citation
Shala, Elira; Kabashi, Faton; Shkurti, Lamir; Selimaj, Mirlinda; and Gjikokaj, Laura, "Blockchain in education: opportunities, applications and challenges" (2023). UBT International Conference. 4.
https://knowledgecenter.ubt-uni.net/conference/IC/CS/4
Blockchain in education: opportunities, applications and challenges
UBT Lipjan, Kosovo
Blockchain is a decentralized data storage technology that has received a lot of attention in recent years, extending its application to many fields. At first it was thought that this technology could be used only in the finance sector, but later its uses have expanded to many sectors including education. Blockchain technology has several characteristics that make it suitable for application in systems where transparency is required, the assurance that the data being stored is unchanged. The potential this technology has shown to democratize data, reduce fraud and eliminate data manipulation has made it a transformative tool for many sectors, both public and private. The purpose of this thesis was to investigate what opportunities this technology offers for the education sector, what are its current applications and applications for the future and what are some of the main challenges that arise during the integration of this technology. The results of the research showed that the opportunities that this technology offers for the education sector are numerous. One of them is the verification of digital certificates and transcripts. By harnessing the power of Blockchain, educational institutions can issue indestructible digital credentials where qualifications can be verified with a high degree of reliability. This reduces the risk of manipulation and preserves data integrity. Blockchain has found application in what is known as 'continuous learning' where the record is kept for the whole the student's academic journey. Also, Blockchain offers opportunities and has found application in Peer-to-Peer decentralized learning platforms where educators from all over the world connect and communicate without any intermediaries and barriers. This also helps create more personalized and individual learning experiences. In many countries, Blockchain is also used to reduce the administrative burden by automating processes such as student admission, registration, payments, etc. In this way, efficiency is increased and errors are reduced. Many popular platforms such as Duolingo and Khan Academy have implemented this technology in their systems. Some of the challenges identified were: lack of knowledge about technology, lack of infrastructure for implementation, standards that regulate its work, etc.