Why students should learn blockchain – and how to help them

Blockchain technology might not seem like an obvious learning topic, but it has become increasingly integrated into everyday life.

Learning about blockchain helps students understand and navigate the apps, platforms, and digital solutions they use (and will use) on a daily basis. By knowing how blockchain works, they can stay safer online and get a headstart for the future, where skills around blockchain will be increasingly in demand.

However, blockchain might seem like an intimidating topic to tackle in class. So, let’s take a look at why blockchain matters, and how to break it down to students.

What is blockchain?

Blockchain is a digital database that allows people to securely share information and record transactions. Imagine it like a shared notebook that everyone can write in but can’t erase or change previous entries. Any new thing that’s written down is linked to what has been written before, which makes the information more secure. And, everyone has the same copy of the notebook, so everyone can see what’s in it, and who has written new things – that makes the information harder to tamper with.

In the notebook metaphor, stickers that can be added to the pages can be considered ‘tokens’. A token is the digital representation of something that facilitates a transaction on a blockchain.

The best known use case for blockchain at the moment is cryptocurrency, but the technology does much more. In fact, in education, research shows that blockchain can improve efficiency, security, and credibility by creating and validating digital diplomas and certificates, securing student records, and providing copyright protection for educational content.

Why blockchain matters

Young people encounter blockchain all the time, whether they know it or not – from digital payment apps that use cryptocurrencies or gaming platforms that use blockchain to let users securely buy, sell, or trade in-game items. There are even streaming services that use blockchain to ensure fair compensation to musicians.

Students may come across blockchain at school, too. Some educational apps use blockchain to track progress and reward students with tokens, while educational institutions might use blockchain to give out official digital certificates or badges.

Learning about blockchain helps equip students with crucial skills for the future. PwC predicts that blockchain will create 40 million jobs by 2030. Already, the number of industries integrating blockchain is on the up, including finance, healthcare, government services, and real estate. These sectors will likely require the next generation of workers to have a decent understanding of blockchain – and so by teaching blockchain to your students now, you give them an advantage.

Blockchain-related skills can support students who want a career in technology as well. From programming and data analysis to cybersecurity and legal compliance, being up to speed with blockchain can prepare your students for studying STEM topics in higher education.

Learning about blockchain can even encourage students to think more deeply about issues like digital responsibility and ethics. As more of the world moves online, blockchain is being promoted as a transparent way to share and record information, which could contribute to less corruption. Engaging students in these issues early can shape a generation of conscious learners who use technology for good.

Activities to teach blockchain

Reports suggest that educators need to introduce blockchain concepts into school curricula more comprehensively. It can be a daunting task if you don’t consider yourself tech-savvy, but below are some fun, engaging ways to cover the basics of blockchain.

1. The token task

Demonstrate how blockchain works with your students through a token-based reward system and activity.

The idea is that you reward students with tokens for positive actions, such as completing an assignment or helping a classmate. Students can then spend these tokens on classroom privileges like an extra five minutes of break time.

Every time a student earns or spends a token, they have to write down the transaction (e.g. ‘Token received for good behaviour’) on a shared space (this is called the blockchain “ledger”) that everyone can see, such as a whiteboard, big sheet of paper, or in a Google Sheet. Everyone has constant access to the ledger, and nothing can be changed, added, or removed without everyone seeing it.

This actively shows the transparency and security of blockchain technology, and students can experience first-hand how transactions are tracked and added to the blockchain.

2. Miners, nodes, and users

A collaborative project can help students get to grips with how blockchain works. Tell your students that they have to record classroom transactions (these can be things that happen on a daily basis, or specific activities like every time a student gets an ‘A’ on a test), by writing it on a Post-it note. Each Post-it represents a “block” on the class blockchain.

Then divide students into three roles: miners, nodes, and users.

Users write down the classroom transactions on the Post-its to add to the blockchain.

Miners have to solve a puzzle or problem to allow what users have written down to be added to the blockchain. This is called ‘proof of work’, and is basically a way to make sure that the person adding the information to the blockchain is trustworthy.

The nodes then have to check the answer to the puzzle or problem the miner has completed. If they agree that it’s right, they accept the new Post-it note into the class blockchain.

Over time, you can rotate the roles students have, so each person gets to experience being a miner, node, or user, and become more familiar with the characteristics of blockchain.

3. Encryption activity

Blockchain concepts in your maths classes can improve students’ knowledge of blockchain and develop their numerical skills. Try an activity to help you teach students about how encryption works.

Encryption is when data is stored as a secret code that only certain people with the right ‘key’ can read. In blockchains, encryption means only authorised people can understand certain information that is added. It’s a way to make the blockchain even more secure.

You can introduce this concept to your students through secret codes. Students assign a number to each letter in the alphabet and write short messages using only the numbers that represent the letters. Then they swap messages with other students and have to decode them. For older or more advanced students, you could incorporate algebra symbols into the mix.

Through this activity, students will gain a hands-on understanding of how information is kept private on the blockchain, even when blockchains are public, and how solving puzzles is a system used to unlock secret information.

Building blocks for digital skills

Blockchain will become less of a mystery as it’s applied more often in the world. As a teacher, you play a key role in preparing your students for this digital landscape. By turning blockchain learning into an interactive process, your students can grasp the foundation of the technology and take their knowledge into real-life contexts.

Technology can help your students to achieve better academic outcomes and prepare for future opportunities. Learn more about integrating technology into exam preparation and keep your knowledge up to date with our AI glossary for teachers.