Prospects of blockchain technology application in education

Document storage

In 2023, most educational institutions record any information on paper. Their problem is unreliability. Documents get damaged, lost, and tampered with. For example, dishonest students can discreetly change a grade in a journal.

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The advantages of blockchain over paper records and simple digital repositories are summarized in the table below.

A decentralized chain will solve the problem of information retention. It will be impossible to intentionally falsify documents. Data loss will become impossible.

A distributed registry will simplify many tasks:

• Filing reports.
• Filling out statements.
• Checking the results of tests, exams and quizzes.
• Grading students.
• Verification of academic progress and other tasks.

In 2023, many educational institutions in Russia already use electronic diaries. However, the system remains imperfect. Teachers enter information only about the academic achievements of wards. Such systems are centralized and easily hacked.

A distributed chain will eliminate the need to maintain archives in educational institutions. Technology will allow students and employees of institutions to store information in a single network. It will be possible to get access to the necessary data in a few clicks of a computer mouse.

A single repository of educational materials

Large educational institutions often have many textbooks, manuals, and courses at their disposal. Learning materials are usually stored in libraries. This approach has at least 2 disadvantages:

• It can be difficult to find the right book in libraries. Sometimes materials are lost in the general mass.
• Educational institutions are required to pay librarians. This is due to direct costs.

A digital registry will solve these problems. An unlimited number of courses, textbooks and manuals can be stored in a single network. The virtual chain will reduce the costs of the educational institution:

• There is no need to buy textbooks in batches (one book for digitization is enough).
• You can save money on library maintenance and employee salaries.
• You can’t spoil digital materials.

In order to take the required textbook, book or manual from the digital network, the student will need a public key. With it, the student will have access to a shared repository of materials.

Solving the recruiting problem

Recruiting new employees is a difficult task for HR professionals in most companies. Recruiting requires a lot of resources. Also, some of the candidates for open positions lie that they have the competencies they are looking for. As a result, companies get unqualified workers.

Blockchain practices in education can simplify hiring in a company:

• Information verification. Through the digital blockchain, an HR professional will be able to examine a candidate’s records from elementary school to their last job. The information will be updated periodically by different individuals – teachers, other educators and supervisors.
• Confirmation of resumes. Many recruiters keep databases with candidate resumes. Over the years, this information becomes outdated. But in blockchain, it will be updated periodically without the help of a specialist.

In 2023, recruiters have to order verification of candidate data for job openings. A digital registry will save employers money.

Blockchain can help automate the recruitment process by using data on candidates’ qualifications and previous jobs to assess the likelihood of success in a new position.

Authenticity of educational credentials

People often go to great lengths to get a vacant position. In 2023, many people buy certificates and diplomas. You can check the authenticity of documents through the Gosusgoservices portal. The function is paid – 2.5 thousand rubles for citizens of the Russian Federation. You can also submit a request to the educational institution. Usually the request is processed within 5 days. The maximum term is 45 days. Companies are not prepared to wait so long for the result. HR-specialists rarely check the authenticity of educational documents of candidates. For this reason, applicants often exaggerate their skills and work experience.

Blockchain technology simplifies the validation of educational credentials. Recruiters can quickly verify the authenticity of diplomas and certificates.

Testing

Verifying students’ knowledge is a long process. First, educators need to conduct testing. To do this, educators model tasks and formulate questions on passed topics. Usually they create 2-3 variants of the test.

After the test, teachers collect students’ papers and compare the answers with the correct ones. This takes a lot of time. For this reason, teachers often take the papers home in order to have time to check them before the next day. After that, educators submit the score sheets to the dean’s office or other school organization.

Blockchain in education will make testing easier. Teachers will no longer need to:

• Compose test options. It will be easier to create them through smart contracts (algorithms embedded in the code of the digital chain).
• Check students’ work manually. The program will automatically compare students’ answers with the correct ones and give fair grades.
• Hand in the worksheet to the organizing center. A public key will give every participant in the network access to the test results.

The first projects using blockchain

In 2017, the University of Nicosia introduced distributed ledger technology into the educational process. With the help of blockchain, the University of Nicosia (UNIC) improved and simplified the methods of storing and retrieving documentation about the specialization of graduates. UNIC’s solution enabled the launch of massive open online courses (MOOCs) for citizens of 85 countries. In 2023, the University of Nicosia’s blockchain stores:

• Students’ diplomas.
• Students’ certificates.
• Research papers of graduates.

The ARCHANGEL system is also considered one of the first projects in education based on decentralized registry technology. Its development is led by the University of Surrey, a British university with international recognition. The aim of the educational institution is the security of the country’s national archive. The first ARCHANGEL tests are conducted in the UK, Norway and the US in mid-2019.

The University of Nicosia is the first university to accept cryptocurrency as tuition fees.

Prospects for widespread adoption

Blockchain is improving the traditional education system. The table reveals the potential for global adoption of the technology in this area.

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