2. Blockchain Technology Applications in the Higher Education Arena
In reference to blockchain, Agbo et al.
[11] examined intelligent learning environments, conducting a bibliometric study. In addition, Ali et al.
[12] introduced blockchain model to support easy application for certificates. Alzahrani et al.
[10] indicated the limited blockchain adoption in support of IES quality. Moreover, Panachev et al.
[3] investigated the use of blockchain and game approach in higher education institutions.
In addition, Walcott-Bryant et al.
[13] designed a digital healthcare portfolio platform to enable quality and continuity of care. Subsequently, Liang et al.
[14] proposed a blockchain network architecture based on the complexity of education scenarios. Furthermore, Kapliienko et al.
[15] provided an analysis of data stored in the existing system of diploma verification.
In addition, Sowmiya et al.
[8] described the growing popularity of Internet of Things (IoT) systems in monitoring physical attendance. Castro et al.
[9] considered that linking blockchain and higher education diplomas can positively impact students around the world. Next, Woods et al.
[16] explored the implications for higher education caused by disruptions brought about by changes in the sector.
Subsequently, Ist et al.
[17] analyzed the Italian status quo in DH Methods. The Italian Young Medical Doctors Association (Segretariato Italiano Giovani Medici (SIGM)) proposed a web-based survey to assess DH awareness and previous knowledge among young doctors. Investigated areas were big data, omics technology and predictive models, artificial intelligence (AI), internet of things, telemedicine, social media, blockchain, and clinical data storage.
For instance, Jordaan et al.
[18] studied the model, LinkLearn, which implements blockchain principles. In addition, Kumaresh et al.
[19] described the use of technology to share academic records and student achievement. Furthermore, Tyagi et al.
[20] covered technology in various sectors, such as agriculture, social media, banking, education, etc. In addition, Hidrogo et al.
[21] developed projects, such as virtual reality zones. Moreover, El-Dorry et al.
[22] presented a system for the counterfeiting problem. Similarly, Yue et al.
[23] analyzed the influence of blockchain technology on higher education.
Meanwhile, Zhang et al.
[24] explored the application of technology to improve the pedagogical information management system in higher education. Chehade et al.
[25] discovered a variety of information support consumer education. Interestingly, Ceke et al.
[26] explored the possibility of applying intelligence in creating and issuing diplomas.
On top of that, Bolsens et al.
[27] described the need to improve the efficiency of organizations with the use of technology. Another point is that Priya et al.
[28] indicated that a proposed system model should provide high performance, high efficiency, and low cost, together with the minimum amount of processing time. By detecting anomalies using ML algorithms, the trustworthiness of the documents involved, and transparent transactions are assured. In addition, Abougalala et al.
[29] discussed the use of blockchain in smart universities.
In the same way, Awaji et al.
[30] examined blockchain applications and summarized the challenges for future studies. Meanwhile, Sharma et al.
[31] understood the application of blockchain technology in education. Moreover, Vidal et al.
[32] proposed an application for issuing certificates using blockchain technology.
Furthermore, Liang et al.
[14] described an educational consortium blockchain-based network. Shukla et al.
[33] proposed a model to verify the academic credentials and certificates submitted by students. Additionally, Lizcano et al.
[2] proposed a training model to adapt its teaching to the specific needs of students. on the other hand, Zhao et al.
[34] proposed a system to identity information in ciphertext form. In addition, Vidal et al.
[35] identified, analyzed, and tested the independence, certificate process. Because of that, Pfeiffer et al.
[36] presented technologies for storing student data. Another point is provided by Ronaghi et al.
[1], assessing the maturity of blockchain technology in agricultural education. Above all, Paraschiveanu et al.
[37] featured an article with overviews of the impact of blockchain features.
Indeed, Wishnow et al.
[38] conducted research to identify emerging technologies for the oil and gas industry in the coming years. Complementarily, Mori et al.
[39] proposed a digital university enrollment system using smart blockchain contracts. Eventually, Ocheja et al.
[40] investigated learning records in educational institutions. According to Liu et al.
[41], investigated her on the problems of applying blockchain technology. Hou et al.
[42] proposed a method for sharing educational resources using blockchain platform. Moreover, Smirnov et al.
[43] addressed the dominant role of the consumer in emerging markets using technology.
In addition, Vidal et al.
[32] proposed an approach using the blockchain technology at the University Fernando Pessoa. Furthermore, Ricci et al.
[44] described that this technology use by individuals could improve awareness and financial education in Ethiopia. Further, Seneviratne et al.
[45] presented a high level overview of mobile health (mHealth). In addition, Narman et al.
[46] determined the education levels of investors or users who are interested in eight cryptocurrencies by using seven readability techniques. On top of that, Turlacu et al.
[47] emphasized that universities should no longer be lagging on technology compared with other sectors.
Although this is not yet explored, new technologies as the next-generation security, the blockchain, cloud, AI conversational interface, and digital credentials can be a leverage for different industries. Above all, Oliveira
[48] considered that blockchain technology has emerged as a disruptive trend that can influence business, government, and society in the coming years. In addition, Ma et al.
[49] proposed a new model that combines smart contracts.
On the other hand, Fernández et al.
[50] observed that the dimension of the cooperative banks influences their perception of the digital transformation in the cooperative banking sector. In this sense, the cooperative banks that affirmed the existence of a wide margin of improvement in the operational scope have a smaller dimension and more seniority than the rest of the sample. Above all, Kamisalic et al.
[51] presented different aspects within the educational domain from a case study. Furthermore, Huynh et al.
[52] described a proposed model for issuing and verifying digital currency built on blockchain technology.
Similarly, Cheng et al.
[53] proposed the digital certificate system based on blockchain technology. In addition, Ritzer et al.
[54] reinforced the importance of universities in relation to digital approaches. However, Swan
[55] discussed the role of blockchains in next-generation artificial intelligence systems, notably deep learning blockchains. Finally, Neilson et al.
[56] provided a set of Bitcoin tutorials for students. The syntheses of authors and blockchain applications are presented in the
Table 1.
Table 1. The main applications used in the “blockchain technology in higher education.
Number |
Authors |
Publication Year |
Blockchain Technology Applications |
1 |
(Agbo, Oyelere, Suhonen, and Tukiainen) |
2021 |
Smart learning environments |
2 |
(M A Ali and Bhaya) |
2021 |
Blockchain model |
3 |
(B Alzahrani, Bahaitham, Andejany, and Elshennawy) |
2021 |
Quality 4.0 transformation process |
4 |
(A Panachev, Shcherbitsky, and Medvedev) |
2021 |
Educational software products elaboration. |
5 |
(Walcott-Bryant et al.) |
2021 |
Digital platform |
6 |
(Liang, Zhao, Zhang, Liu, and Zhang) |
2021 |
Education consortium blockchain platform |
7 |
(Kapliienko, Tabunshchyk, Kapliienko, and Wolff) |
2021 |
University digital ecosystem |
8 |
(Sowmiya and Poovammal) |
2021 |
Privacy system manager |
9 |
(R Q Castro and Au-Yong-oliveira) |
2021 |
Diploma certification. |
10 |
(Woods, Doherty, and Stephens) |
2021 |
Upskill development |
11 |
(Casà et al.) |
2021 |
Pre- and post-graduation training in digital |
12 |
[No author name available]/proceedings |
2021 |
- |
13 |
[No author name available]/proceedings |
2021 |
- |
14 |
(Jordaan) |
2021 |
Learning tool |
15 |
(Kumaresh) |
2021 |
Academic blockchain (transparent and secured system for sharing academic records and student’s achievements) |
16 |
(Tyagi, Ghosh, Rana, and Kansal) |
2020 |
Blockchain applications across multiple domains (social medias, education, crypto-currency, information technology and data management) |
17 |
(Hidrogo, Zambrano, Hernandez-de-Menendez, and Morales-Menendez) |
2020 |
Virtual reality zones, collaborative virtual reality, I 360° courses, blockchain for digital credentials, and digital tutors. |
18 |
(El-Dorry et al.) |
2020 |
Document certification |
19 |
(Peng, Yang, and Zhou) |
2020 |
Education system |
20 |
(Zhang, Ma, Ji, and Wang) |
2020 |
Teaching informatization management |
21 |
(Chehade et al.) |
2020 |
Empowerment |
22 |
Ceke, D., Kunosic, S. (Ceke and Kunosic) |
2020 |
Diplomas in education |
23 |
(Bolsens) |
2020 |
- |
24 |
(Priya, Ponnavaikko, and Aantonny) |
2020 |
Verification of certificates |
25 |
(Abougalala, Amasha, Areed, Alkhalaf, and Khairy) |
2020 |
Smart university |
26 |
(B Awaji, Solaiman, and Albshri) |
2020 |
Learning processes (certificate/degree verification, student assessments and exams, credit transfer, data management and admissions) |
27 |
(Sharma and Batth) |
2020 |
Educational bodies model |
28 |
(Vidal, Gouveia, and Soares) |
2020 |
Digital diplomas |
29 |
(Liang et al.) |
2020 |
Microservices architecture (innovation) |
30 |
(Shukla, Indra, Trivedi, Ujjwala, and Monica) |
2020 |
Digital certificates |
31 |
(D Lizcano, Lara, White, and Aljawarneh) |
2020 |
Model for training institution to adapt teaching. |
32 |
(Zhao, Di, and He) |
2020 |
Digital identify |
33 |
(Vidal, Gouveia, and Soares) |
2020a |
Verifying and sharing certificates. |
34 |
(Pfeiffer, Bezzina, Wernbacher, and Kriglstein) |
2020 |
- |
35 |
(M H Ronaghi) |
2020 |
Maturity of blockchain technology |
36 |
(Paraschiveanu, Richardson, and Voicu-Dorobanțu) |
2020 |
Legally binding smart-contracts; streamline the credentials’ processes and viability and legitimacy of education protection. |
37 |
[No author name available] proceedings |
2020 |
Digital transformation; digital infrastructure; digital ecosystem; digital collaboration; digital competences; blockchain accounting and blockchain adoption. |
38 |
[No author name available] proceedings |
2020 |
Artificial intelligence |
39 |
(Wishnow, Azar, and Rad) |
2020 |
Digital Twin 2.0 |
40 |
[No author name available] Proceedings |
2020 |
Blockchain data; smart contracts; learning conceptual modeling and class and object diagrams. |
41 |
(Mori and Miwa) |
2020 |
Falsification of information |
42 |
(Ocheja, Flanagan, Ueda, and Ogata) |
2020 |
Blockchain of learning logs (BOLL) platform |
43 |
(Liu and Zou) |
2019 |
Cooperation innovation of industry, universities, and research institutes. |
44 |
(Hou et al.) |
2019 |
Educational resource sharing |
45 |
(Smirnov, Zakharova, Semenov, Mulendeeva, and Suchkova) |
2019 |
Digital economy profile |
46 |
(F. Vidal, Gouveia, and Soares) |
2019 |
Academic diplomas |
47 |
(Ricci and Mammanco) |
2019 |
Innovative blockchain based system for safety |
48 |
(Seneviratne and Peiris) |
2019 |
Digital health tools, molile. |
49 |
(Narman, Uulu, and Liu) |
2019 |
Cryptocurrency draws |
50 |
(Turlacu, Orzan, Chivu, and Herrezeel) |
2019 |
Customer experience |
51 |
(Ma, Xu, and Xu) |
2019 |
Authenticity of data/smart contracts |
52 |
(Fernández-Torres, Gutiérrez-Fernández, and Palomo-Zurdo) |
2019 |
Digital education process |
53 |
[No author name available] Proceedings |
2019 |
Digital Devices |
54 |
[No author name available] Proceedings |
2019 |
Digital innovations |
55 |
(T T Huynh, Tru Huynh, Pham, and Khoa Ngo) |
2018 |
Education managers |
56 |
(Cheng, Lee, Chi, and Chen) |
2018 |
Smart contract for digital certificate |
57 |
(Ritzer et al.) |
2018 |
Digital transformation |
58 |
[No author name available] proceedings |
2018 |
ERP education; track digital assets of value and digital entrepreneurship. |
59 |
(Swan) |
2018 |
Digital collectibles (cryptokitties); artificial intelligence systems and deep learning algorithms. |
60 |
[No author name available] proceedings |
2018 |
Education services; digital tools and platforms for training programme; digital services and digital transformation. |
61 |
(Neilson, Hara, and Mitchell) |
2018 |
Digital cryptocurrency Bitcoin |
3. Conclusions
The entry are to collaborate with the gap of scientific works that offer bibliometric analysis in this domain. This entry systematizes the main topics related to the use of blockchain in higher education and presents future investigations, considering the relationship with the topic of digital technologies.
Future implications for theoretical and managerial application can be references in this entry, as a possibility that the identified blockchain practices can contribute to higher education institutions in improving (quality and safety) the academic service provided to students.
This general contribution leads to productivity gains and cost reduction, creating possible provisions for the use of money in the higher education institution. This work contributes to the future of higher education institutions in the world, especially in light of the advancement of digitization and the digital transformation of businesses, rethinking the way to serve the student and the way the trust relationship will be with the use of blockchain technology.