The emergence of COVID-19 has provided ample evidence of the need to strengthen the resilience of institutions, systems and processes in the education sector. The increase in natural disasters has also had an impact on education, as in some cases data systems in disaster-stricken areas were irreversibly affected. In a context where the risk of climate-induced disasters is increasing, countries will need to address the integration of data resilience into education as a fundamental aspect of disaster planning. Blockchain can be a key asset in this respect.
Blockchain is a common, decentralised and secure repository technology for recording and storing digital transactions with almost all digital assets, including digital identities, medical and educational records, birth and marriage certificates, skills credentials and digital contracts.The protection of blockchain initiatives demonstrates that it is already possible to deploy technology to cover accreditation and certification in both formal and non-formal learning environments. At least 56 % per year represents the expected growth of the blockchain market over the forecast period.
Blockchain is an infrastructure for identity verification, which is one of the most relevant functions of this emerging technology in education. When a digital identity verification system can persist regardless of the nature and extent of external changes, verification of ownership of digital assets becomes easier. Graduation certificates are increasingly issued in the digital domain, such as micro-credentials. They can be connected to a central identity verification system, i.e. blockchain, and can be more easily authenticated across institutional and national borders. Such an approach can also be useful in promoting the transnational circulation of qualifications.
This publication demonstrates and assesses emerging practices for the application of blockchain technologies in education. The publication primarily targets policy-makers, divided into four parts:
- Part 1 contains a set of key knowledge on blockchain technologies presented in the form of Questions and Answers.
- Part 2 focuses on issues related to emerging practices associated with the use of blockchain in an educational context, highlighting the use of blockchain for digital certificates, credentials, intellectual data management, smart contracts and performance-based payments.
- Part 3 analyses the applicability of technology in a number of usage scenarios, including notarial authentication of intellectual property rights and funding of education.
- Part 4 reiterates the humanistic principles to guide the use of blockchain in education to protect human rights, inclusion, equality, gender equality and environmental and ecosystem sustainability. This publication also highlights the implications of blockchain technologies for gender equality, while drawing attention to the negative impact of the use of blockchain technology, in particular on the environment and ecosystems.