LinkLearn: Blockchain Technology as a Learning Tool

Abstract

Higher education institutions will remain gatekeepers of opportunity if industry, governments, and students value their existing credentials. Keeping up with technological changes and new learning models may contribute to making learning environments more effective and desirable. With appropriate learning models like computer-based learning, contact time can be changed from absorbing information to situations where students inquire, think and challenge their lecturers and each other. A blockchain is a digital ledger of economic and financial transactions but is not limited to these kinds of transactions as it can record ‘virtually everything of value’. Blockchain is a disruptive technology that will influence our daily lives and organizations such as education, business, and governance. The focus of this study was on a model, called LinkLearn, that implements blockchain principals and used as a learning tool. The research question formulated for this research was whether LinkLearn can be used as a learning tool. A qualitative research process was followed, and lecturers were interviewed to obtain their views about LinkLearn in education. The outcomes of this study show that lecturers are positive about LinkLearn as a learning tool. The results of this study are important as it shows that the LinkLearn model has the potential to transform the way students are engaged, motivated and evaluated.