Blockchain has been developed as a distributed database technology with potential business values, moving away from centralized approach to data representation and anonymity. In the digital technology market, there has been a series of discussions and critiques about the use of blockchain for good. Business professionals are still uncertain that blockchains provide any real value in the business context as much as others have claimed advantages, such as trust, decentralized structure, improved security and privacy, and cost reduction. Educational administrators may not immediately see the relevancy of this technology in education. This article presents a new perspective, called "learn-to-earn" model, as to how blockchain could be used in the educational administration context, and what possible future research direction in educational research can be foreseen. Educational administration and management could explore with educators how students may benefit from the blockchain technology behind their teaching and learning.

Blockchain and Education

In computer science education, students are immersed in learning computer science through exposure to different theories and applications of computing technologies. Computer science educators can certainly teach computer science with the support of computing technologies and enhance the ways in which they learn more effectively. While students are learning about these technologies, how could these technologies be integrated into the program administration and management to support the teaching and learning? In recent years, we have seen cases of how advanced technologies are used in supporting teaching and learning, such as generative artificial intelligence (AI) with ChatGPT as one example, that supports students in exploring conceptual and practical ideas that are consolidated based on a large set of data. While many are keeping a close eye on the AI, there is indeed another piece of technologies, i.e., blockchain, that are arising in education, to which we should pay some attention. At the same time, educators and computer scientists have been wondering if there is a value in applying blockchain technologies in educational context beyond financial business. In this article, we explore the potential benefits of blockchain and raise questions to examine the applications of blockchain in program management as well as teaching and learning in computer science.

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In this article, we initiate an idea called the "Learn-to-Earn" model for educators and software engineers to explore the potential of blockchain technology beyond supporting the educational infrastructure, examining whether there is any value to the process of student's learning, and raising new challenges with opportunities for researchers to consider.

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A blockchain is a distributed database or ledger that is shared among the nodes of a network [1]. As a database, a blockchain stores information electronically in digital format [4]. For example, Bitcoin (BTC), known as a cryptocurrency, is a virtual as much as a digital currency designed to be used as a form of payment without any one person, group, or entity to control, removing the need for third-party involvement in any financial transactions. The blockchain in the case of BTC is used in a decentralized way so that no single person or group has full control. Instead, all users have their own control over their assets. No single agent can intervene in the process of currency transactions thus safeguarding the digital value. With the techniques of cryptography, users are able to place their trust in the blockchain when transferring their assets between peers over the internet [8].

In linking this technique to educational context, several universities and higher institutions have applied blockchain technology to various scenarios. In general, the blockchain as a digital ledger could allow a variety of educational information to be matched to a user's unique ID, such as classroom learning behaviors [13], micro-academic project experience [14], and macro-educational backgrounds [15]. In addition, blockchain technology may reduce some degrees of forgery to verify academic records when the system can be built on the blockchain as a decentralized, trusted, and multi-sided platform, and it is getting more attention from the school management perspective especially when online learning becomes more prominent. Many of these cases use blockchain technology to support academic degree management and summative assessment of learning outcomes as a part of the information stored in students information systems (SIS) [11,12,16]. For instance, the University of Nicosia is the first school to use blockchain technology to manage student certificates obtained from a MOOC platform [10]. Sony Global Education has also applied blockchain technology to create a global assessment platform to provide a service for storing and managing academic degree information in digital format instead of granting a paper-based diploma to graduates [10]. In addition, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Learning Machine collaborated to design a digital badge for online learning based on blockchain technology, through providing a wallet app that allows students to have access to their blockchain-based credentials and digital resumes [12]. Moreover, Holberton School is another institution that, since 2017, applies blockchain technology to store degrees sharing this information to employers to access and verify an applicant's credentials.

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Our team has recently initiated a project to discuss with schools, software engineers, and educators, to develop a new blockchain-based educational profile platform in Hong Kong to support education and student's learning.

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Thus, the application of blockchain technology is becoming more common, at least in the context of educational management and administration and even in computer science programs with a potential use case. Other applications in education are yet to be developed. In this article, we initiate an idea called "Learn-to-Earn" model for educators and software engineers to explore the potential of blockchain technology beyond supporting the educational infrastructure, examining whether there is any value to the process of student's learning, and raising new challenges with opportunities for researchers to consider.

What is "Learn-to-Earn" Model?

In recent years, a theory that applied to a wide range of industries named "Learn-to-Earn" has been popularized. There are various types of "Learn-to-Earn" models. In the crypto space, CoinEx developed an earning model named "Learn-to-Earn," claiming that students can take a course to study about cryptocurrencies and blockchain, and then gets cryptos (or cryptocurrency) by passing tests in the course [2]. Combining blockchain technology, this model may create a new incentive for students to actively participate in learning and gain both knowledge and valuable assets. In fact, this is not the first case in the market. For instance, Learn and Earn Metaverse Academy (LEMA) has built a new economic model that rewards learners for their time and effort spent in learning at LEMA as a part of their ecosystem to attract incoming participants [6]. Perhaps a similar practice may be applied widely in a formal educational system with blockchain. Nofer et al. [9] offer an example to demonstrate how institutes and schools can "Learn-to-Earn" model in educational setting. When a student graduates from an academic institution, in addition to the paper-based diploma, schools can issue the academic degree as a digital credential which can be accessible on a blockchain-based platform. Potential employers who have been given access to this blockchain platform can view detailed information of the applicants, such as educational degrees, academic record and even specific micro-level information including the use of learning tools, software applications learned in these courses, programming languages taught, and extracurricular activities. This example shows how blockchain creates a new network connecting schools and employers for information sharing, supporting students to "earn" their future career opportunities while employers can easily verify the authenticity of the applicant's digital profile.

Inspired by this example, our project team has recently initiated a project to discuss with schools, software engineers and educators, to develop a new blockchain-based educational profile platform in Hong Kong to support education and student's learning. The "Learn-to-Earn" model could be launched to serve as an incentive mechanism for students to continue their studies, earning both career opportunities and cryptos at the same time. Application of our "Learn-to-Earn" model through the Blockchain platform will be a win-win strategy for all the involved parties including students, institutions, and employers. Here are a few namable benefits for educators to explore, although, there is no warranty that by issuing crypto coins for learning under the "learn-to-earn" model can be the most effective approach to reduce all existing administrative costs. Educators and developers can explore the following potential benefits and examine the feasibility of integrating it into our existing educational systems.

• Benefit to Computer Science Students

Blockchain can coordinate the profile of student information in any computer science program and provide with timely updates of the achievements with authorized proof of diploma and academic records. Students will no longer need to rely on themselves or any third-party agencies to update their academic information, saving time and money while maintaining a cohesive academic record system. Recording students' achievement throughout their lifetime would encourage their lifelong learning since all academic and professional records will be available on the blockchain platform and build a professional identity. Additionally, computer science students could also take this advantage to apply for internship programs where their academic records can be shared to professional organizations and providing a seamless engagement in practical training. This idea may attract increased enrollment of students to or retention in computer science, and enhance their learning experiences overall. In addition, the integration of blockchain into an educational context may be considered a potential project for computer science students at all levels, spanning from final year project at undergraduate level to graduate level of research projects. A program team could consider recruiting the in-house computer science students for this new collaborative project idea, developing a feasible solution to contribute to their own community.

• Benefit to Computer Science Programs in Academic Institutions

Applying the "Learn-to-Earn" model may lead to benefits of academic institutions by reducing the administrative burden, and spending budget on technical maintenance and administrative staff. Institutions could focus primarily on submitting the data to the electric ledgers, knowing that the data on the platform will be not further eliminated or tampered with. The prominent character of the system will also ensure academic integrity, protecting researchers' intellectual properties. One example, outlined in Figure 1, demonstrates how the creation of a new academic record is made in a blockchain. In the process of verifying the creation of the record, incentives can be rewarded to the peers. The peers could be other academic institutions or business companies. Using blockchain technology, institutions do not have to manage a centralized database with an official transcript issued to students every time one is requested. As previously mentioned, this could enhance the collaboration between computer science programs and other business companies to take the students into internship or employment through a trusted platform.

• Benefit to the Employers

The blockchain platform will provide a direct talent pool for tech-related employers to identify potential employees. Through the platform, basic academic information as well as students' acquired skills are viewable, which allows employers to understand their mastery of certain skills by examining the past achievements and awards [3]. Additionally, when employers make donations to schools or individuals, the platform could save the donation records for creating a more transparent donation channel.

Integration of Blockchain and "Learn-to-Earn Model"

In this model, blockchain is the technology to support the building and skeleton of the system infrastructure. The application of blockchain technology accelerates the rewarding process and authentic information sharing. Due to the nature of decentralization, the accounts cannot be tampered with by individuals. Blockchain infrastructure is a major part of blockchain architecture. System requirements for the block-chain-based infrastructure are also less vulnerable than traditional client-server infrastructure. Blockchain infrastructure adopts a technique similar tp the platform-as-a-service (PaaS), where service providers only need to coordinate and maintain access for users to the infrastructure, providing development tools and nodes, as well as supporting the underlying infrastructure needed to operate their systems, such as cloud storage and security [7].

From a technical perspective, this "learn-to-earn" model can be implemented with blockchain technology in practice. In fact, a similar platform has already been piloted in the market before. In 2018, EduCTX proposed and developed as a block-chain-based platform for crediting and grading in the higher education context [5]. The platform guarantees the success of management, distribution, and presentation of certificates for individuals and educational institutions as well as for other potential stakeholders such as companies, institutions, and organizations. In addition, it supports the development of its own digital services, providing organizations with the opportunity to automatically validate the skills and knowledge of individuals. Users of the platform such as students and organizations, are connected to the Higher-Education Institutions (HEI) via a blockchain client. Any accredited higher education institution and its members can join the network. Through joining the network, the HEI must create a new network node to maintain the global infrastructure and secure network [5].

The designers have created a unique ECTX token mechanism, taking reference from the European student credit transfer system. ECTX tokens represent the points displayed by the digital micro-certificate that an individual receives upon completion of a course of study. The EduCTX platform handles, manages, and monitors ECTX tokens and transactions. Students hold a dedicated EduCTX blockchain wallet in the platform. When a student completes a course offered by an accredited institution, the institution will transfer the appropriate number of ECTX tokens to his/her blockchain address. The storage information contains (1) the sender (organization) HEI and its official name, (2) the recipient—the student is presented anonymously, (3) the token—the value of the course credit, and (4) the course logo.

The platform brings together global stakeholders through the features and benefits of blockchain technology, avoiding language and administrative barriers and creating a simple, versatile, and globally accessible environment. At the same time, regarding transactions and open data, the platform is flexible and transparent, allowing educational institutions and students and other stakeholders to better connect with each other, enabling global integration. In addition, the platform is excellent at reducing costs and streamlining processes, reducing the burden on public policy, enabling employers to better understand the knowledge and skills of their employees, and preventing online fraud effectively. It also helps individuals to better review their knowledge and skills and to use additional services on the platform to further improve their skills. The platform is still in operation and has many franchisees. The operational success of the platform further demonstrates feasibility of the "learn-to-earn" model.

While blockchain technology may have brought unprecedent benefits to the administration of education, other technical issues may arise. For example, how would a blockchain prevent forgery if a university employee uploaded false certificates? How are certificates validated with only a single university? How do other universities know what a valid certificate from another university looks like? In addition, deanonymization in public blockchains may still be possible, when companies conduct mass-profiling of student certificates that could bring a challenge to the privacy of students. Besides, decentralization alone may not be sufficient for reducing the possibility of tamper-resistance. How should developers design new system requirements with blockchain technology which can be less vulnerable than traditional client-server architectures? All of these may be new challenges without having any current validated solution in any existing study to the best of our knowledge.

Suggestions for Further Development

Considering the combination of "Learn-to-Earn" and blockchain, the characteristics of blockchain should be utilized to the maximum extent. Thus, the decentralization, non-tampering, traceability, openness, and anonymity of the blockchain should be applied in the model. The characteristics of decentralization can be seen in the distribution of rewards. Decentralization means that accounts are no longer kept only by trusted institutions. Accounts will be monitored and recorded by more people to ensure their correctness. Immutability and traceability enable each transaction to be accurately queried. The characteristics of openness allow the public to query the records of each transaction, making the financial status of the foundation more public. In the future, it is recommended that educators and software developers collaborate to explore the full potential of blockchain technology to support educational development and students' learning. In addition, researchers can examine whether a benchmark can be developed to minimize the challenge of cybersecurity in the blockchain infrastructure, and study if and how the use of an online learning platform and students' learning behavior may generate useful or valuable data for the blockchain to store and share for a variety of purposes, enhancing the quality of education. More importantly, computer science educators could explore and study whether or not the implementation of the blockchain technologies influences the enrollment of students in computer science, given the benefits of carrying the incentives to learn and earn. Another aspect could be to investigate how learning behaviors could be captured across different courses/institutions on individuals, and inform different instructors regarding the learning needs of students in their own courses.

References

1. American Council on Education; https://www.acenet.edu/Documents/Connecting-the-Pieces-Benefits-of-Blockchain.pdf; accessed 2022 Dec 3.

2. Chain, C. E. S. COINEX: Making Money While Learning? What is the Learn to Earn Model?, November 10, 2021; https://coinex.medium.com/coinex-making-money-while-learning-what-is-the-learn-to-earn-model-7768865cebec; accessed 2022 Dec 3.

3. Ecker, M. The Benefits of the Learn and Earn Model for Skilled Trades Students, May 27, 2021; https://partners.pennfoster.edu/blog/2021/may/the-benefits-of-the-learn-and-earn-model-for-skilled-trades-students; accessed 2023 Feb 17.

4. Hayes, A. Blockchain Facts: What Is It, How It Works, and How It Can Be Used, September 27, 2022; https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/blockchain.asp; accessed 2023 Feb 16.

5. Holbl, M., Kamisalic, A., Turkanovic, M., Kompara, M., Podgorelec, B., & Hericko, M. EduCTX: An Ecosystem for Managing Digital Micro-credentials. in Proceedings of the 28th EAEEIE Annual Conference. (Hafnarfjordur, Iceland: IEEE, 2018). doi:10.1109/EAEEIE45293.2018.

6. Javakhishvili, N. and Arkadelli, N. Learn and Earn Metaverse Academy: The Future of Decentralized Online Education, December 2021; https://www.researchgate.net/publication/358940455_Learn_and_Earn_Metaverse_Academy_The_Future_of_Decentralized_Online_Education; accessed 2023 Feb 16.

7. Isler, M. Blockchain Infrastructure Requirements (software & hardware). iMi Blockchain, February 22, 2022; https://imiblockchain.com/blockchain-infrastructure-requirements/. Accessed 2022 December 27.

8. Nofer, M., Gomber, P., Hinz, O., and Schiereck, D. Blockchain. Business & Information Systems Engineering, 59, 3 (2017): 183–187.

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11. Sharples, M. and Domingue, J., in Adaptive and adaptable learning (Cham: Springer, 2016), 490–496; doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-45153-4_48.

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13. Lin, J., Li, B., Cui, L., and Miao, C. (2021, October). Practices of Using Blockchain Technology in e-Learning. In 5th International Conference on Crowd Science and Engineering (2021, October), 55–60.

14. Chen, G., Xu, B., Lu, M., and Chen, N. S. (2018). Exploring blockchain technology and its potential applications for education. Smart Learning Environments, 5 (1), 1–10.

15. Panagiotidis, P. (2022). Blockchain in education-the case of language learning. European Journal of Education, 5 (1), 66–82.

16. Sura I. Mohammed Ali, Haitham Farouk, Hussien Sharaf, A blockchain-based models for student information systems, Egyptian Informatics Journal, Volume 23, Issue 2, 2022, Pages 187–196, ISSN 1110-8665, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eij.2021.12.002.

Authors

Gary K. W. Wong
Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong
[email protected]

John H. M. Huen
Koding Kingdom (Hong Kong) Limited
[email protected]

Figures

Figure 1. Example of blockchain technology used in adding the academic record to existing blockchain with rewards.

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