Many people, when they hear the term "blockchain," think of concepts that usually seem too complicated and difficult to understand. This association is due to a lack of familiarity with how it works. Despite appearances, this field is not reserved only for IT or finance specialists. Blockchain, in its essence, is a fundamentally simple concept that can be understood and appreciated by anyone, regardless of their level of technical expertise.
If you are among those who have heard of blockchain technology and want to familiarize yourself with it, then let's simplify everything a bit!
What exactly is blockchain?
If you have heard of cryptocurrencies, then you have definitely heard of blockchain. It is the element on which both Bitcoin and Ethereum are based. In simple terms, it is a ledger where data is stored in a more secure, transparent manner, without being altered or modified, and without needing a third party to manage it.
Blockchain was initially invented to facilitate business transactions. But it can be used in a multitude of other fields, such as education, finance and banking, supply chain management, real estate, agencies, etc.
Okay, but what is blockchain doing in education?
Blockchain technology can be used in a variety of ways in education, all depending on your creativity!
Here are some of them:
1) Secure storage of diplomas and certificates
Recently, there have been increasing instances where students go to collect their diplomas from university and discover that they have been lost. Others find out that they have been accidentally thrown away/damaged. Regardless of the reason for the loss or damage of diplomas, one thing is certain: a piece of paper cannot last forever. Moreover, diplomas can be easily falsified. Through blockchain technology, they can be accessed quickly and easily by graduates and employers, while preventing their falsification and manipulation.
2) Validating student identities
Another bureaucratic issue is student IDs, made from fragile paper that is supposed to last for three years through wind and rain. With blockchain, student IDs can be created, which can be used in various ways, such as attending classes, accessing resources and facilities like the cafeteria, sports halls, etc.
3) Improving the university admission process
Even though this process has been greatly improved compared to previous years, it could be taken to another level of innovation thanks to blockchain technology. Students could upload their admission documents in a secure and transparent digital environment, reducing the time and resources needed to manage the process.
4) Improving the internship process in universities
When students need to complete internships in their second year, they need to obtain the necessary signatures from professors, university administration, and employers. In this case, blockchain technology could make their lives easier by implementing a digital electronic signature system. This would allow students to upload their documents to a secure online platform, which would then be digitally signed by professors or employers. The signatures would be recorded and stored securely and authentically in the blockchain. Another idea would be a blockchain-based internship management platform where students can upload their internship report more easily.
5) Monitoring students' academic progress
Using blockchain, a student's academic history can be recorded and stored transparently, including grades as well as other competencies or academic achievements.
We hope this article has helped you better visualize how blockchain technology can assist us, having applicability both in cryptocurrencies and in other areas of our lives.