OEB insights asks how blockchain can be used in education. It points out that as education becomes less centralized, we still need to concentrate on trust and reputation.
Transparency is a large part of blockchain. Blockchain can be used to keep track of certificates and make sure certifications are not falsified.
Education institutions can cooperate while sharing certification and code-sharing. This can be done on a global as well as domestic level. Blockchain provides an efficient, shared resource.
Education can be nationalistic but it can also be a shared resource on an international level. Blockchain can help that happen with its technology.
Assessment is part of the problem. But over time schools and universities may utilize blockchain to share the data with third parties in the way that offers global continuity.
Meanwhile open badges sustain credentials via a system that avoids tampering. Open badge chains can be made part of blockchain.
Professional development is difficult to deliver – and without much creativity. Inputs that are trusted can help develop professional developments especially those securely organized via a strong blockchain-oriented system.
Current learning and talent management don’t work well. An open but secure approach can be used domestically and also after people depart from the organization.
Apprenticeships are part of society around the world. In the UK, for instance three million apprenticeships will be taken care of via taxes. What can be gained via taxes can be tracked an centralized via blockchain.
Libraries can be buttressed by bitcoin. Today’s systems use centralized ledgers but blockchain can sustain a more significant authentication structure.
Micropayments are better than financial transactions that employ third parties that charge fees. Micropayments can be used for educational resources, etc. This another area where blockchain can help.
Over time blockchain will take apart hierarchical structures. The technology itself generates the focus and support trust, which stays with the technology itself. It is a disruption.
Traditionally institutions are sources of trust. But that can change with blockchain. Trust needs to move beyond educational brands.
The biggest problem is cultural, as brands are longstanding and reputable. But alternatives are necessary and they are coming. The bigger issue is how blockchain handled and how it affects the various aspects of education mentioned above.
Blockchain, need not create a centralized structure either. It can also simply encourage current trends, especially those regarding elements such as apprenticeships.
Learning by experience is a big part of this sort of perspective. Going to school to learn government mandates is not necessarily all that valid when it comes to the trade.
As an apprenticeship perspective becomes more widespread, the ability of individuals to learn their craft becomes more widespread as well.
Perhaps people should learn the basic skills, reading writing and arithmetic. But that doesn’t take more than a couple of years at the outside. In fact such skills can be practiced and perfected without school at all.
It is probably far more important for individuals to get at as much training in their professions as possible. The idea that young people have to take a certain amount of hours per year until 18 in order to graduate to a profession that has nothing to do with how they will make a living is fairly ludicrous.
The cryptocurrency being set up to encourage sharing of apprenticeship knowledge will hopefully benefit apprentices and masters around the world.
It is part of larger struggle with the way things have turned out after centuries of increasing government interference with the private sector. Now, finally, we begin to fight back.
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