Month: September 2022

Blockchain: The terminology “Blockchain” is a word often used in finance when discussing digital currencies. In essence, blockchains are defined as “an incorruptible digital ledger of economic transactions that can be programmed to record not just financial transactions but virtually everything of value.” (Tapscott & Tapscott, 2016) While blockchain is often mentioned in finance, it also has a place in education and learning. Due to the complex security behind blockchains, it can be utilized in multiple areas of the education domain.

A system for certification: Student records and achievements could be stored using blockchain.

Verification of validity: Certificates can be validated automatically by cross-referencing valid certificates issued by the issuing organization.

Ownership of data: Students could store and own their own data, instead of relying on their educational institution.

Cryptocurrency payments: Students and institutions can use cryptocurrency to pay for fees, thus increasing the accessibility scope to sending and receiving payments.

These applications of blockchain in education are primarily based on the fact that blockchains are extremely difficult to hack into, and provide a high-level of security. While blockchains can be useful in education, there are also logistical downsides to using this technology. Environmental costs and technological adoption are the two leading factors that prevent blockchain’s usage in education. The amount of energy used to conduct cryptocurrency transactions is incredibly high, leading to high energy costs and environmental damage over long periods of use. Another issue is the normalization and adoption of the technology. Education is a long-standing field, where techniques and methods can be in use from over a century ago in classrooms today. Using historic techniques often prevent educators and students from adopting an open-minded perspective when attempting to use new techniques, the fear of the unknown is a major inhibiting factor when adopting new technologies.

While there are many benefits to using blockchains, there are also inhibiting factors that prevent the adoption of blockchains in classrooms today. In the future I believe that there may be a use for blockchains specifically regarding the certification of students and the validity of their certificates. Many online courses provide a certificate to students that proves the student has completed the course and is eligible for any work that requires a background in the course material. Adopting blockchains would allow for an automatic validation check on the certificate, which increases the rate of hire and productivity of employers.

Reflection

I chose this learning activity and topic because in the past I have already read the Bate’s Learning Theories in a previous EDCI course, and I found the topic “Blockchains” in the “25 Years of Ed Tech” to be very interesting. It combines a rising technology in finance with education. As a Health Informatics student, I am studying to improve Healthcare by incorporating technology and IT and the use of blockchain in education is similar. Through this activity, I’ve deepened my understanding of blockchains and their uses, while also learning about it’s applications in education and other domains.

Hello, my name is Jason Lin and I am a 4th year student in Health Information Sciences (HINF) . I have completed both EDCI 335 and EDCI 337, after completing both of those courses I have really enjoyed the style of teaching that comes from EDCI courses. I am hoping to learn about the open styles of learning and multi-access learning!

As a HINF student, I have a basic interest in healthcare and how we can improve the delivery of care to citizens, but I am more invested in the IT side of healthcare.

Outside of studies, I mostly spend time with friends and play video games. My image is a cartoon penguin because it is my favourite animal and I like the non-realistic art style.

I believe that learning to participate in groupwork is essential for the future, since collaboration with another individual is strongly encouraged to improve a product or project. During groupwork, I am the type to follow along and provide my own insights, I typically do not lead the group, but I will make sure my ideas are voiced during meetings.

I believe that I am a very easy to reach person and if anyone has any questions or concerns they can reach out to my email: jayxd427@gmail.com

Thanks for reading my learner profile and I look forward to taking this course with you!