Education Through the Lens of Blockchain and Vice Versa

Abstract: Blockchain is a promising global and cross-industry technology that is predicted to drive the growth of the world economy in the next few decades, but it is not limited to this application alone. Considered a technological phenomenon, blockchain has reimagined how we design complex systems, such as the education system. The author asks and answers the following questions: How can these systems be made autonomous, decentralized, reliable and capable of self-stabilization? Is blockchain the key we need to make any system efficient and perfect from a “systems theory” perspective? How should it be done? Where is blockchain technology used in education and what are its prospects? The author discusses a promising direction in which blockchain could develop, increasing the range of its application in the education sector. This article raises the problem of mainstream academia’s attitude toward blockchain, which can slow down its implementation. An analysis is given of why education professionals are wary of the digitalization of education. The author advocates a balanced and sensible approach to the relationship between blockchain and education.

Key words: blockchain, education, digital technologies, benefits and dangers, promising technology