Web3 in Education: Pioneering a New Era of Learning and Technology
In recent years, we have witnessed a remarkable evolution in the educational landscape, a change that has been accelerated by the global COVID-19 pandemic and further propelled by the growth of Web3 technologies. The pandemic brought an unprecedented focus to online learning, compelling educational institutions across the globe to transition quickly to digital platforms. This shift not only spurred the widespread adoption of e-learning tools and virtual classrooms, but also underscored the importance of technological agility in education. The integration of digital resources, from video conferencing to online courseware, ensured continuity in learning amidst physical distancing while opening doors to personalized and self-paced learning experiences.
Building on this digital foundation, the emergence of Web3 technologies, centered around blockchain, and driven by the ethos of decentralization, is further transforming the way we interact online and learn. This article dives into the diverse ways Web3 has the potential to revolutionize education, introducing innovative learning mediums and models like Learn2Earn, decentralized platforms and learning communities, on-chain credentials, and open-source resources. So, let’s dive in!
Decentralized Learning Communities
Decentralization is a core aspect of Web3, so it’s no surprise we’ve seen many decentralized projects emerge in recent years, often in the form of DAOs, that provide educational programming to learners. There are many benefits of decentralized learning communities over traditional learning models, one being the role of the community in governing the organization and supporting the development of learning experiences.
Whereas traditional learning programs may be developed by a centralized body or institution, the decentralized alternative can be co-created by the community, ensuring it meets their needs and is reflective of the diverse perspectives of the community. This opens the door to learners joining the DAO as a member or steward, giving them an opportunity to grow with the DAO, help shape its future programs, and give back to the community, creating a cycle of learners becoming mentors.
One example of a decentralized learning community is Dream DAO, a decentralized autonomous organization that provides Gen-Z students with the training, mentorship, and funding to use Web3 technology to build a brighter future. They offer a series of programs including a 3-month explorer program that funds young people to contribute to a Web3 social impact project, virtual and IRL learning events & community discussions, a 1-on-1 mentorship program connecting youth with Web3 champions, and more!
To participate in the governance of the DAO, one must either purchase a SkywalkerZ NFT, or, if you’re a 15-20 year old member, apply to receive a free NFT. By obtaining an NFT, members can participate in the governance of the organization by voting on proposals covering everything from funding decisions to the launch of new programs and updates to governance policies. This gives students an opportunity to join the DAO and play an important role in stewarding the projects future.
DreamDAO serves as a great example of how decentralization can bring more value to the educational experience - giving learners an opportunity to not only gain a valuable education, but also to actively participate in the governance of decentralized network of learners intetested in leveraging Web3 to build a better world.
Learn2Earn Models
With the advent of blockchain-based tokens, we have seen the launch of platforms based on the concept of "Learn2Earn", which reward learners with tokens for engaging in educational activities, effectively gamifying education. This gamification not only makes learning more exciting, but also provides tangible value and motivation for students to pursue their educational goals. After all, finances can be a huge barrier to achieving an education, and Learn2Earn models help break down this trade-off that you need to pay to get an education.
A great example of a Learn2Earn program is impactMarket’s Learn & Earn program, which provides educational content to beneficiaries of their programs and rewards them with $PACT tokens for completing lessons. The program was developed based on the interests of users to grow their financial literacy skills and understand how to manage the crypto received as UBI to their Libera wallet. The goal is to eventually expand the program to all users of the Libera wallet, opening access to this program to thousands of new users.
In addition to their content on financial literacy, the platform allows mission-aligned partners to launch their own Learn & Earn courses. This open the door for future courses offered by DAOs or Web3 organizations on a variety of topics, helping to build a diverse catalogue of Learn & Earn courses. If you’re interested in learning more about impactMarket’s programs, we recently had the pleasure of interviewing impactMarket’s CEO Will Le.
Another example of a project leveraging tokens to incentivize learning is DirectEd Development, a non-profit organization offering coding and entrepreneurship courses in Kenya and Ethiopia. Students participating in their program take part in monthly exams, and if they are successful in passing, are sent a milestone token which can be exchanged through their smart contract for scholarship funding. This incentivizes learners to complete all the necessary lessons by tying the disbursement of funding to the achievement of specific educational milestones. You can learn more about this innovative approach in our interview with their Founder Simon Sällström.
On-Chain Credentials
Web3 enables the issuance of on-chain credentials, offering a secure and transparent way to maintain educational records. These blockchain-based credentials are tamper-proof and easily verifiable, making them highly reliable. This gives students a secure, accessible, and trustworthy way to not only store their credentials, but also to share them with employers or other educational institutions, streamlining the verification process and enhancing the credibility of their academic achievements.
Currently, the systems for managing student credentials vary by institution and jurisdiction. With this patchwork of systems and processes currently in place, there is a greater opportunity for errors or fraud. Now imagine a world where everyone’s educational credentials were held in their own self-custody wallet on the blockchain, which they had ownership of, allowing them to share their credentials with whomever they wanted whenever they wanted. This not only gives them full control and ownership over the credentials that they’ve worked so hard to build, but on the other end, the individual viewing the credentials, whether it be an employer or educational institution, can know with certainty that the documents are authentic.
One example of a project making on-chain educational credentials possible is Blockcerts, “an open standard for building apps that issue and verify blockchain-based official records”. Blockcerts’ technology can be used for a variety of credentials including academic diplomas, professional certifications, civic records, and more. Many universities have already partnered with Blockcerts to issue verified digital diplomas including MIT, Georgia Tech, University of Padua, McMaster University, and many more.
On a larger scale, we’ve also seen a collaboration between the Ethiopian Government and Input Output Global (IOHK), the organization behind the Cardano Blockchain, to deliver on-chain educational credentials for students in Ethiopia. While this project has been delayed, it offers a glimpse into the potential of on-chain credentials on a larger-scale within traditional educational institutions.
New Tools & Learning Mediums
Web3 has introduced groundbreaking new tools, such as NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens), play2earn games, and metaverse experiences, all of which are disrupting traditional educational models. These tools, if used properly, can provide immersive and interactive learning environments, making education more engaging and fun. For example, NFTs can be used to mark learner milestones, giving them a unique collectible to commemorate their achievements. These often take the form of a POAP (Proof of Attention Protocol), a collectible token that can be easily issued to individuals who take part in an educational experience. NFTs can also be used as a membership token, providing holders with access to educational content, as can be seen with SheFi’s soulbound membership NFT. Play2earn games, on the other hand, can integrate educational content within gaming experiences, enhancing learning through interactivity while rewarding students for engaging.
One example of a project leveraging these tools to deliver educational experiences is Salty Sharks, an NFT gaming ecosystem focused on supporting marine conservation and education. They are developing a series of products that help users engage with marine conservation in unique ways, including an NFT collection that allows users to take part in an educational role playing game. They also released a special NFT collector coin with proceeds supporting the work of Fins Attached to tag, research, and protect sharks.
Open & Accessible Learning
The open-source ethos is a fundamental pillar of Web3, fostering the creation of high-quality, freely accessible educational content. With the strong focus on public goods in Web3, many of these open-source learning resources are backed by grants and funding programs, such as Gitcoin’s Web3 Community & Education Grant Round, and Optimsm’s RetroPGF. This helps ensure the resources remain open and available to all.
There are several examples of excellent open and free Web3 educational resources that have been funded by these granting programs including Bankless DAO, GreenPill Network, ELI5 DAO, Kairos Research, of course us, Crypto Altruism, and many more.
For a deeper dive into the foundations of Web3, I highly recommend Kernel, which has made the courseware for it’s 8-week course open and accessible to all, while also providing an opportunity for individuals to take part in a paid fellowship, with scholarship opportunities also available.
There is no shortage of educational content, experiences, or decentralized learning communities that are free and accessible to all in Web3. So if you haven’t had a chance to explore any of the incredible free educational resources in Web3, including those highlighted above, I definitely recommend you do so.
Conclusion
Web3 is not just a technological revolution; it's an educational one too. By leveraging the power of decentralized communities, Web3-powered learning tools, and a network of open-source resources, the foundation is being laid for a more engaging and accessible learning ecosystem. It’s still early days in the world of Web3 and education, but as this emerging movement continues to evolve, it will be exciting to see what use cases are discovered next!
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