By Larry G. Martin
Blockchain digital ledgers offer cutting-edge opportunities for adults to safely manage the massive amounts of personal data, academic transactions, and professional relationships generated from Web2.5 and 3.0 technologies in their digital learning hubs. As a type of shared distributed digital ledger technology (DLT), an increasing number of education and training organizations (such as MIT Digital Diplomas, and Maryville University) are replacing traditional paper-based ledgers with blockchain technology to document, verify, and share data about students’ knowledge and skills. Historically, traditional ledgers are the mortar that binds together the diverse organizations, departments, programs, and services learners have trusted to maintain their academic records and transactions. However, the blockchain technologies responsible for cryptocurrencies (e.g., Bitcoin and Ethereum) can increasingly provide adult learners futuristic opportunities to construct viable, decentralized, convenient, learner-owned and controlled, and easily accessible digital learning portfolios (DLPs) to document their education, training, and competencies. Nevertheless, the challenge of replacing traditional ledgers requires a massive and complex undertaking by educational and training organizations and compels adult learners to adopt several blockchain-related apps to their digital learning hubs.
Traditional Ledgers in 21st Century Education
In the 21st century, traditional paper-based ledgers are becoming obsolete. Lifelong learners now create complex data trails as they participate in various education and training organizations throughout their careers. They thereby accumulate numerous achievements in degrees, certifications, and badges that are documented for individual students within “siloed” data structures in separate educational institutions (U.S. Office of Educational Technology, 2021). These data are routinely collected during each phase of the journey as individuals complete high school; engage in different college, training, and learning opportunities; and participate in numerous employment situations throughout their lives. Still, each organization is responsible for deciding what information is recorded; the conditions for recording, modifying, and verifying the accuracy of transactions; and which transactions should be deleted or destroyed (Grech & Camilleri, 2017). Therefore, for new employment or educational opportunities, adults must submit individual requests to a growing list of different organizations, which must also abide by FERPA protections of student records (U.S. Office of Educational Technology, 2021).
Trusting these fragile and disorganized paper-based ledger systems in the 21st century is like leaving the keys to the family home in unreliable hiding spots, such as under door mats. Like these keys, students’ data and information are unsafe. They risk being lost, damaged, copied, manipulated, or destroyed (Delgado-von-Eitzen et al., 2021). Through digital learning portfolios, blockchain technologies promise to shift control over education and training data from education, workforce, and employer stakeholders to individual learners, workers, and citizens (Lemoie & Soares, 2020).
Personalized digital learning portfolios of educational and training competencies can assist adults in keeping pace in today’s rapidly changing work environments, where about 65 percent of all jobs require a post-secondary credential. About 738,428 unique credentials (such as degrees, certificates, digital badges, and apprenticeships) are used in labor market decision-making to conduct transactions such as college admissions or transfers, recruiting, hiring, and promoting employees (Lemoie & Soares, 2020). However, the half-life of the knowledge and skills learned in college is now just five years, and the average time spent on a job is about 4.5 years (Lemoie & Soares, 2020). Through learning portfolios, blockchain digital ledgers provide pathways for education data to accompany learners throughout their lives, experiences, and achievements; and for individuals to document, verify, and efficiently share skills-related data with current and potential employers.
Blockchain Digital Ledgers
Blockchain digital ledgers allow learners to place their academic credentials and files in a series of interconnected systems of highly secure safe deposit boxes where each academic record, transaction, and credential is protected by cryptographic locks, ensuring integrity and preventing unauthorized changes. These ledgers typically contain lists of sequential, time-stamped transactions identifying a transaction number, date and time, sender, asset, and receiver (Grech & Camilleri, 2017). The ledgers can empower learners to access their digital credentials immediately without contacting the issuing parties. They also ensure the academic records are
(a) tamper-proof (Palanivel, 2019);
(b) quickly verified by employers, educational institutions, and other stakeholders (Lemoie & Soares, 2020);
(c) owned and controlled by students who can share their credentials with third parties without relying on intermediary institutions (Lemoie & Soares, 2020); and
(d) recognized globally, making it easier for adults to study and work internationally.
These benefits notwithstanding, adult learners seeking to develop a blockchain-based learning portfolio should consider adopting a blockchain app to their digital learning hub.
Types of Blockchains
Adult learners should consider several types of blockchain apps: public, private, and consortium.
Public blockchains (such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Cardano, and Dock) are permissionless and open to anyone seeking to be part of the peer-to-peer network (Delgado-von-Eitzen et al., 2021). They are less efficient than private blockchains in processing power and storage requirements and have slower transaction speeds (Delgado-von-Eitzen et al., 2021).
Private blockchains (such as Hyperledger Fabric, Ethereum Enterprise, and R3 Corda) are highly centralized, smaller, and more specialized systems that require permissions. Participants can join only if invited, and they must abide by the organization's rules controlling the network (Delgado-von-Eitzen et al., 2021).
Consortium blockchains (such as Polkadot) represent a combination of public and private networks controlled by a group of organizations, and participants can only join if they are invited. Nonetheless, transaction volume, speed, and resources usage are improved when compared to public systems (Delgado-von-Eitzen et al., 2021). Most adult learners will likely find that utilizing a public blockchain (e.g., Ethereum) that is used by many education organizations is a trusted system on which to create personal digital learning portfolios.
Creating a Digital Learning Portfolio on the Blockchain
A digital learning portfolio (DLP) is a verifiable record of your learning achievements,
credentials, and skills stored on the blockchain. To take full advantage of the increasing number of innovative blockchain products available through educational organizations (such as MIT Digital Diplomas , ODEM, and BitDegree) you will need to create a DLP that enables the trading of assets across blockchain networks via a wallet or light wallet (Grech & Camilleri, 2017).
You can start by selecting and installing (for free) an electronic Wallet app (such as Coinbase Wallet, MetaMask, and Trust Wallet) or a Light Wallet (such as Wallet of Satoshi) directly onto a digital device (a computer or smartphone) to receive and send cryptocurrency and manage personal data (Grech & Camilleri, 2017). When installed, the wallet creates a key pair. The public key is openly shared and used to encrypt messages or data, and the private key should be kept secret and used for decryption (Lemoie & Soares, 2020).
Digital wallets can also be hot or cold. Hot wallets (MetaMask or Trust Wallet) are user-friendly, app-based systems connected to the internet that are convenient for daily transactions, like sending and receiving cryptocurrencies. The cost of these transactions (such as Ethereum gas fees) depends on the network. However, hardware-based cold wallets like Ledger Nano S or Trezor are not internet-connected. They are thereby more secure against online threats (hacking, phishing, and malware) and more suitable for long-term storage of large amounts of cryptocurrency. Yet, they are less convenient for frequent transactions because they require connecting the device to a computer or smartphone to access funds, and private keys are stored offline. Once you purchase a wallet, there are no ongoing costs for storing cryptocurrencies, but there are network transaction fees when transferring funds. For security (backup and recovery), a seed phrase must be created, stored, and protected securely.
Inexperienced adult learners should start with a hot wallet (like MetaMask) and verify their identity for everyday transactions. Once your wallet app is installed, you should select an app for a blockchain credentialing platform (such as Blockcerts) and purchase compatible cryptocurrency funds (from Ethereum [ETH], or others) that can be used to cover transaction fees for issuing, storing, and verifying your digital credentials on the blockchain. Since many blockchain credentialing platforms, like Blockcerts, operate on the Ethereum network, purchasing ETH is recommended. To purchase a cryptocurrency, you will need a small initial investment of about USD 50.00 worth of ETH to cover several transactions and provide enough experience with the process. Transfer the purchased cryptocurrency from the exchange to the MetaMask wallet (or any other wallet being used). Your initial investment should cover over 90 transactions; however, Ethereum gas fees fluctuate, so you should always check current rates and perform transactions when fees are lower.
Once your hot wallet is operational, your future educational and learning plans should prioritize platforms, courses, and training programs (such as Blockcerts, EduChain, EduCTX, Sony Global Education, and Hyland Experience Credentials) that issue blockchain-based certificates or credentials. They will produce digital copies of blockchain-based credentials that are recorded on the blockchain and can be easily stored in your digital wallet, making them effortlessly verifiable by employers or other institutions. However, these credentials should be well organized in your DLP to ensure easy access. Some organizational categories to consider include:
· Formal Education—degrees, diplomas, and academic certifications.
· Professional Education—industry-specific credentials, skill badges, and licenses.
· Work Experience—verified employment history, freelance work, and internships.
· Non-formal Education—courses, workshops, and training programs from non-traditional institutions.
· Skill Portfolios—projects, portfolios, or any evidence of skill mastery.
In general, cryptocurrencies enjoy a dubious reputation in the public media as instruments of financial investments; however, many educational and learning organizations are actively exploring how the underlying technology can improve digital ledgers. By adopting blockchain technology apps to your digital learning hub and developing your own DLP, you will help accelerate the widespread availability of blockchain digital ledgers. You will also be empowered to more safely share your credentials with potential employers, academic institutions, or other relevant parties by providing access to your electronic wallet or a specific public address. As you complete additional learning experiences and gain new skills, you should continuously add new credentials and achievements to your DLP. Lastly, as the volume of transactions increases, you should consider transitioning to a cold wallet to enhance the security of your digital assets.
Up Next: Personalizing Digital Hubs to Enhance and Accelerate Learning
This blog series has examined impactful Web3.0 tools adult learners can add to their digital hubs, from large language model AI chatbots to blockchain digital ledgers. My next blog will discuss how adults can personalize the organization and integration of the tools in their learning hubs to enhance and accelerate their learning efforts.
Larry
G. Martin, Ph.D.
Professor
Emeritus, UWM
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(formerly twitter) https://twitter.com/larry_martin29 and LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/larry-martin-142b528/
References
Awaji, B., Solaiman, E., & Albshri, A. (2020, July). Blockchain-based applications in higher education: A systematic mapping study. In Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Information and Education Innovations (pp. 96-104).
Daley, S. (2019). 9 Blockchain Education Companies Earning Straight A's https://builtin.com/blockchain/blockchain-education
Delgado-von-Eitzen, C., Anido-Rifón, L., & Fernández-Iglesias, M. J. (2021). Blockchain Applications in Education: A Systematic Literature Review. Applied Sciences, 11(24), 11811.
Grech, A., & Camilleri, A. F. (2017). Blockchain in education. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union.
Lemoie, K., & Soares, L. (2020). Connected impact: Unlocking education and workforce opportunity through blockchain. American Council on Education.
Palanivel, K. (2019). Blockchain Architecture to Higher Education Systems. Int. J. Latest Technol. Eng. Manag. Appl. Sci, 8, 124-138.
U.S. Office of Educational Technology (2021). The Lifelong Learner: How Blockchain Solutions Can Facilitate Data Transfer and Protect Personal Information for a Lifetime. https://tech.ed.gov/files/2021/02/blockchain-lifelong-learner.pdf