Online learning has grown significantly over the last 20 years, with e-learning having the fastest rate of growth in the education sector with an average annual growth rate of 20%. The mobile learning industry is predicted to grow to a value of $80.1 billion globally by 2027, with $18.8 billion expected to be generated in the Chinese market by the same year. Between 2020 and 2027, there is also encouraging potential for decentralised online learning in Japan and Canada. It has been acknowledged that integrating blockchain technology into online education has the potential to produce very good outcomes.
Online education, sometimes referred to as virtual learning or online learning, is a web-based methodology that facilitates rapid information dissemination and learning. With the introduction of Web 3.0 and the internet as the platform, students can now receive top-notch training anytime, anywhere, and without regard to time, place, or other constraints. Because of Web 3.0, blockchain technology and online education can work together to create effective learning environments that are controlled by consensus rather than a central authority.
Current Issues with Online Learning
Over the last ten years, online learning has grown at an exponential rate, providing learners all over the world with never-before-seen access to education and training options. But in spite of all of its advantages, the digital learning environment still has a number of serious problems that prevent it from reaching its full potential. These difficulties highlight the need for creative answers, and blockchain technology shows promise as a potential option.
1.Validating Credentials and Fraud:Online academic credential verification can be a laborious and time-consuming procedure. Admissions and hiring procedures are frequently delayed as a result of difficulties that employers and educational institutions have in verifying the veracity and integrity of student data.
An increasing number of credential mills and unaccredited institutions put online learners at serious danger. By offering degrees and certificates without following accepted educational standards, these fraudulent organisations undermine the credibility of genuine credentials and mislead students.
2.Privacy and Data Security Concerns:Numerous sensitive data sets, including academic records and personal information, are stored on online learning platforms. These platforms are exposed to data breaches and cyberattacks in the absence of strong security measures, jeopardising the privacy and confidentiality of learners’ information. A lot of online learning platforms use centralised databases, which keep all of the data in one place. It is crucial to look into more secure and decentralised solutions because this centralization raises the possibility of data loss and illegal access.
3.Connectivity and Record Mobility: The ecosystem of online learning is made up of numerous platforms and establishments that have systems in place for gathering and organising student data. Students find it difficult to move their academic records between universities without difficulty because of this fragmentation.
The lack of established procedures for exchanging data and sharing records results in inefficiencies and data inconsistencies, which hinder the establishment of a unified and interdependent educational ecosystem.
Blockchain-Based Streamlining of Online Learning
By resolving existing issues and improving a number of elements of the educational process, blockchain technology offers a special chance to completely transform online learning. The following are the main ways that blockchain technology can revolutionise the field of digital education:
1.Safe Credentials Acquisition and Validation: Digital diplomas and certificates that are tamper-proof and cryptographically secured can be issued thanks to blockchain technology. A student has total ownership and control over their academic accomplishments thanks to the blockchain-based credentials that can be kept right in their digital wallet.
Through blockchain access, businesses and educational institutions may instantly confirm the legitimacy of a learner’s credentials. By doing away with the necessity of laborious manual verification methods, they streamline the employment, recruitment, and admissions processes.
2.Dispersed Documentation: The decentralised architecture of blockchain minimises the danger of single points of failure and unauthorised access by storing learner data across a network of nodes. Students can feel more assured about the confidentiality and security of their personal data.
Since each record on the blockchain is connected to the one before it by cryptographic hashes, changing or erasing data is nearly impossible. The integrity of academic articles is guaranteed by this immutability, which also guards against fraudulent activity.
3.Compatibility and Mobility: Interoperability between various educational systems can be promoted by blockchain platforms by adopting open standards for data exchange. Academic records are freely shared by students between institutions, allowing for smooth credit recognition and transfers.
A learner’s educational journey can be comprehensively and portablely documented with blockchain-based learning passports. These passports can be used to track accomplishments from a variety of educational institutions, online courses, workshops, and certification programmes, among others.
4.Microcredentials and continuos learning: Micro-credentials, or qualifications that stand for certain abilities or capabilities, can be created using blockchain technology. In order to demonstrate prospective employers their wide range of skill sets, learners can display their competence in specialised areas or complete short courses to obtain these digital badges.
A lifetime learning record that follows a person’s educational path from early childhood education to professional development can be supported by blockchain technology. This thorough documentation demonstrates the ongoing quest for knowledge and promotes a culture of lifelong learning.
5.Learning Contracts Using Smart Contracts: Teachers can create customised learning routes for each student based on their goals, interests, and progress by utilising smart contracts. Assignments and course material are automatically modified by smart contracts to suit the unique needs of each student.
Automated testing and grading can be managed using smart contracts. They lessen the workload for teachers and free them up to concentrate more on giving students customised feedback and support.
Beyond its technological features, blockchain has the potential to revolutionise online education. It encourages a more learner-centric approach in which people are in greater control of their educational path and are able to boldly and transparently showcase their accomplishments to the public. As more educational institutions and platforms embrace blockchain technology, the future of online learning holds the promise of enhanced accessibility, efficiency, and empowerment for learners worldwide.
Possible Difficulties and Restrictions
Although blockchain technology has the potential to completely transform online education, it is important to understand that there are a number of obstacles and restrictions associated with its use. In order to guarantee a successful and long-lasting integration, it is imperative to overcome these potential obstacles as educational institutions and stakeholders investigate the implementation of blockchain in the education sector.
1.Technical Difficulty: Because blockchain technology is distributed and decentralised, it can be difficult to install and maintain efficiently. Understanding the technical facets of blockchain, such as establishing and maintaining the required infrastructure, guaranteeing data security, and managing smart contracts, may provide difficulties for educational institutions. Certain institutions may find it difficult to acquire the specialised knowledge required for blockchain creation and upkeep, especially smaller ones.
2.Scalability:Scalability is an increasingly important consideration as the amount of data in the education industry increases at an exponential pace. Because every transaction on a blockchain is automatically recorded in a block, this might result in higher storage needs and slower transaction times. This constraint may impede the smooth management of extensive educational data, especially in massively open online courses (MOOCs) and user-rich platforms.
3.Energy Use: Consensus techniques like Proof-of-Work (PoW), which can use a lot of energy, are frequently used in blockchain networks. PoW’s high processing power requirements may raise environmental issues, particularly in light of the massive energy usage of global blockchain networks. Teachers that are interested in sustainable practices could look for different consensus processes like Proof-of-Stake (PoS) or other models that use less energy.
4.Data Security and Privacy: Although blockchain technology is transparent and unchangeable, data privacy concerns are raised by some blockchain networks’ public nature. To achieve compliance with data protection rules such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), educational institutions must exercise caution while handling sensitive student information. Furthermore, although blockchain technology is impervious to manipulation, weaknesses in smart contracts or private keys may result in unwanted access or security breaches involving data.
5.Harmonisation and Compatibility: There are many different types of educational institutions, and each has its own platforms and data management systems. It could be difficult to achieve standardisation and smooth interoperability amongst these different systems. The establishment of shared standards and frameworks by educational institutions, industry participants, and regulatory agencies is crucial for blockchain technology to fully realise its potential in online learning.
In conclusion, blockchain technology opens the door to a more effective, transparent, and learner-centered educational ecosystem and provides a multitude of answers to long-standing problems. As this article has discussed, students are empowered to own their academic credentials thanks to blockchain’s decentralised structure, which facilitates easy record sharing, improved security, and more control over their educational path.
Blockchain’s prospects for use in online education are bright, and its effects go well beyond the virtual world. Blockchain’s influence on education will lead to collaborative research, worldwide credential recognition, and the encouragement of lifelong learning.