Exploring blockchain technology and its potential applications for education

• Published in: Smart learning environments Vol. 5; no. 1; pp. 1 - 10
• Main Authors: Chen, Guang, Xu, Bing, Lu, Manli, Chen, Nian-Shing
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 03.01.2018; Springer Nature B.V; SpringerOpen
• Subjects: Algorithms; Blockchain; Computers and Education; Cryptography; Education; Educational evaluation; Educational Technology; Engines; Influence of Technology; Information technology; Institutional Role; Instructional Design; Internet; Learning is earning; Literature Reviews; Networks; Open Source Technology; Steam electric power generation; Technology utilization; World Problems; Educational evaluation; Instructional design; Blockchain; Learning is earning
• ISSN: 2196-7091; 2196-7091
• DOI: 10.1186/s40561-017-0050-x

Blockchain is the core technology used to create the cryptocurrencies, like bitcoin. As part of the fourth industrial revolution since the invention of steam engine, electricity, and information technology, blockchain technology has been applied in many areas such as finance, judiciary, and commerce. The current paper focused on its potential educational applications and explored how blockchain technology can be used to solve some education problems. This article first introduced the features and advantages of blockchain technology following by exploring some of the current blockchain applications for education. Some innovative applications of using blockchain technology were proposed, and the benefits and challenges of using blockchain technology for education were also discussed.