Digital certificates provide verifiable proof of knowledge from online courses and Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). They offer a more convenient and cost-effective way to deliver certification for online learning. However, digital certificates face the potential of hacks and data breaches. This vulnerability has led to the introduction of digital certificates stored on blockchains.
The first blockchain-based credential system, called Blockcerts, was introduced by MIT. Since the creation of BlockCerts, there has been increased demand by online educational institutions and MOOCs for transparent and decentralized digital certification processes. According to Markets&Markets, blockchain-based digital certificates are still in their early stages, and the market is expected to experience an annual CAGR of 8.92%. Now is the best time to get ahead of the pack.
Blockchain-based digital certificates will continue to play a vital role in the future of education. The secure nature of blockchain-based digital certificates makes it the perfect solution to common flaws associated with traditional online course certificates.
In this post, I will discuss everything there is to know about digital certificates in online learning and highlight the five major differences between blockchain-based digital certificates and traditional digital certificates. I’ll also discuss how blockchain technology will enhance the credibility of online courses and the challenges they address in online education.
What Are Digital Certificates in Online Learning?
A digital certificate is an online document issued to an individual to recognize the successful completion of a course, training, or a degree. Digital certificates play a vital role in the adoption and popularity of online learning. Online learning became prevalent with the introduction of and reliable access to the internet.
Online learning brought about a paradigm shift leading to the creation of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). Online learning has been widely accepted worldwide, introducing new learning modes that higher education institutions currently utilize. Occupational training, professional development, and virtual learning are new learning pathways that use digital certificates to certify students.
The introduction of digital certificates has made the certification process for online learning seamless. However, traditional digital certificates are associated with many cases of hacking and data breaches due to the security vulnerabilities of centralized databases. Blockchain-based digital certificates were introduced to address the limitations of regular digital certificates. They utilize blockchain technology for storage, security, and verification. Blockchain-based digital certificates provide transparency and decentralization.
How Do They Differ From Traditional Certificates?
Digital certificates differ from traditional paper certificates in several ways. The difference between digital certificates and traditional certificates was created to account for the shortcomings of paper certificates. The five key differences between both types of certificates include;
- Distribution:
Method of distribution is one way digital certificates differ from traditional certificates. Blockchain-based digital certificates are distributed instantly via email, websites, or credentialing platforms. In addition, digital certificates are shared on social media profiles. Traditional paper certificates are distributed manually which can result in lost certificates or delays.
- Format:
Digital certificates differ from traditional certificates in terms of file formats. Traditional certificates are physically printed on paper, while digital certificates are issued in electronic file formats. Digital certificates are issued through format-agnostic credentialing platforms, offering a wide range of file formats.
- Security:
Digital certificates differ from traditional certificates when it comes to security. Digital certificates are secured using advanced encryption mechanisms such as blockchain technology. The security mechanisms employed in protecting digital certificates help to eliminate certificate fraud, identity theft, and breach of user privacy.
- Storage:
Digital certificates differ from traditional certificates in terms of storage and access. As their name suggests, digital certificates are digitally stored while paper certificates require physical storage. Digital certificates are easily stored in clouds, email, and devices. They are also readily accessible and can be conveniently presented at any given time. Traditional certificates are stored physically which makes them susceptible to theft, damage, or loss.
- Verification:
Digital certificates differ from traditional certificates in terms of the method of verification. Digital certificates are electronically verified using digital signatures or identifiers. Blockchain-based digital certificates are verified by accessing the blockchain using the unique hash assigned to the certificates. Traditional certificates are verified through physical inspection. Unlike traditional certificates, digital certificates are verified with the presence of the issuing organization.
Why Are Blockchain-Based Digital Certificates Important for MOOCs?
MOOCs emerged from Open Movement Resources before the creation of popular service providers like Udemy, Udacity, Coursera, and edX. MOOCs provide flexibility for students; however, a problem that is associated with MOOCs is the acceptance of certificates. In addition, advanced technological advancement has led to many cases of certificate forgery using sophisticated editing software.
The acceptance of MOOC certificates contributes immensely to its adoption. Certificates must be instantly verified and validated. Blockchain-based digital certificates provide a lasting solution to these problems. The importance of blockchain-based digital certificates for MOOCs is as follows;
- Providing proof of learning
- Enhancing the value of online courses by eliminating certificate forgery
- Offering ease of sharing on professional platforms like LinkedIn
- Instant credential verification
- Cost-effective credentialing solution
How Do Blockchain-Based Digital Certificates Enhance the Credibility of Online Courses?
The credibility of online courses lies in the authenticity of their certificates and verification process. Online course certificates have less value as they can be easily falsified or manipulated. This is one of the reasons for the transition from traditional digital certificates to blockchain-based credentials. The immutability of data and transparency are some of the key benefits of blockchain-based digital certificates. Below are five ways in which blockchain-based digital certificates significantly increase the credibility of online courses:
- Verifiable Authenticity
- Recognition and Standardization
- Security and Privacy
- Enhanced Transparency
- Ownership
Verifiable Authenticity
Every digital certificate recorded on a blockchain has a unique hash to verify its authenticity. This makes the certificates impossible to forge because of the immutable nature of blockchain. With blockchain technology, online course providers are assured that the certificates issued are authentic and instantly verifiable.
Blockchain-based digital certificates offer real-time verification of credentials. Quick credential verification improves recruitment processes and decision-making for employers. To verify a certificate’s validity, the unique hash assigned to the certificate is assessed on the blockchain.
Recognition and Standardization
Blockchain-based digital certificates are globally accessible and recognized from anywhere in the world. There is no limitation of location or jurisdiction with blockchain technology. Institutions, employers, and organizations worldwide can verify blockchain-based digital certificates without contacting the issuer or any third party.
Blockchain-based digital certificates create a standard for providing credentialing solutions. They are designed to be interoperable across different platforms. This means the certificates will always be valid and accessible even after the issuing institution no longer exists.
Security and Privacy
Blockchain technology provides improved security for digital certificates. Blockchain-based digital certificates are tamper-proof, which reduces the risk of forgery. Certificate fraud is a common occurrence with traditional certificates stored in a centralized database.
Blockchain-based digital certificates enhance the credibility of online courses by making it impossible to forge documents. Transcripts, certificates, or testimonials all became forge-proof when stored on the blockchain.
Enhanced Transparency
Blockchain technology provides a transparent credentialing system. This helps to build trust between issuing organizations and verifiers. In addition, institutions share academic credentials with other institutions or employers, knowing that the information is authentic and tamper-proof.
Ownership and Control
Recipients have total control and ownership of their blockchain-based digital certificates. Certificate holders possess a private key that grants access to the certificate, ensuring total ownership and control. Controlled access to certificates helps recipients establish trust in the credentialing platform. This prevents unauthorized access and adds an additional layer of security to the certification process.
What Challenges Do Blockchain-Based Digital Certificates Address in Online Education?
Online education has many benefits over conventional classroom education. They offer greater learning flexibility, reduced cost, ease of access, and reduced need for physical infrastructure. However, several shortcomings are peculiar to online education that utilize centralized digital certificates. Below are five challenges that blockchain-based digital certificates solve in online education:
- Authenticity and Fraud Prevention
- Permanence and Accessibility of Records
- Scalability of Certification Process
- Lack of Motivation
- Data Security
Authenticity and Fraud Prevention
Blockchain-based digital certificates solve the certificate fraud associated with traditional digital certificates. They are sophisticated editing tools that are used to forge digital certificates. With blockchain, every digital certificate issued is assigned to a unique ID to prove its uniqueness.
Permanence and Accessibility of Records
The immutable and decentralized nature of blockchain ensures the permanence and accessibility of records. Certificates recorded on a blockchain remain secure and unaltered over time, solving the problem of loss or theft. In addition, blockchain-based digital certificates are globally accessible without geographical restrictions.
Scalability of Certification Process
Blockchain-based digital certificates solve scalability problems by automating and streamlining certification processes. The scalability of certification processes is a challenge for online education as it gains more popularity. Self-executing smart contracts on a blockchain allow the automation of credential verification at a large scale. As the number of course participants increases, blockchain can easily scale without compromising efficiency.
Lack of Motivation
Blockchain-based digital certificates address the challenge of motivation by providing a transparent system for recognizing achievements. Online education is an interactive and immersive way to impart knowledge to students. However, students need more motivation to continue courses due to the absence of interpersonal communication, endless quizzes, frequent rewards, etc. Blockchain-based digital certificates motivate students by offering valuable credentials that can improve employability. Blockchain technology is also used to issue and manage micro-credentials. Micro-credentials can be issued as a source of motivation to students for completing small tasks, quizzes, etc.
Data Security
Blockchain technology solves the constant problem of hacks and data breaches that are associated with centralized databases. Traditional digital certificates are stored on centralized databases, making them vulnerable to hacks and databases. Blockchain-based digital certificates are stored on decentralized data and cryptographically linked to prevent unauthorized access. In addition, blockchain offers individuals total ownership and control over their certificates.
Conclusion
Blockchain-based digital certificates provide a highly secure method to offer credentialing solutions. They offer significant benefits to online learning and MOOCs compared to traditional digital certificates. They provide verifiable proof of learning, instant credential verification, and cost-effective credentialing solutions.
Blockchain-based digital certificates solve several challenges associated with online education. For one, they improve scalability and data security. Blockchain-based digital certificates also solve the prevalent challenge of document fraud in the educational sector.
Diplomade is designed to provide efficient credentialing solutions for online education institutions and MOOCs. At Diplomade, we leverage blockchain technology to streamline certification processes for online educators of all sizes.
