# Enhancing E-Learning with Blockchain: Characteristics, Projects, and Emerging Trends
###### Abstract  
Blockchain represents a decentralized and distributed ledger technology, ensuring transparent and secure transaction recording across networks. This innovative technology offers several benefits, including increased security, trust, and transparency, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. In the last few years, there has been a growing interest in investigating the potential of Blockchain technology to enhance diverse fields, such as e-learning. In this research, we undertook a systematic literature review to explore the potential of Blockchain technology in enhancing the e-learning domain. Our research focused on four main questions: (1) What potential characteristics of Blockchain can contribute to enhancing e-learning? (2) What are the existing Blockchain projects dedicated to e-learning? (3) What are the limitations of existing projects? (4) What are the future trends in Blockchain-related research that will impact e-learning? The results showed that Blockchain technology has several characteristics that could benefit e-learning. We also discussed immutability, transparency, decentralization, security, and traceability. We also identified several existing Blockchain projects dedicated to e-learning and discussed their potential to revolutionize learning by providing more transparency, security, and effectiveness. However, our research also revealed many limitations and challenges that could be addressed to achieve Blockchain technology's potential in e-learning. Blockchain; distributed ledger; security; transparency; e-learning +
Footnote †: journal: Future Internet  
There are different types of Blockchains, each catering to specific needs and use cases. Public Blockchains, exemplified by Bitcoin [5] and Ethereum [19], are accessible to anyone and emphasize a high degree of decentralization. The maintenance of these Blockchains relies on a distributed network of nodes, and anyone can participate in the network as a node, mine new blocks, and validate transactions [20; 21]. Private Blockchains, on the other hand, are restricted to a specific group of participants and are often used by organizations for internal purposes. They provide a more controlled environment where access permissions are granted to authorized participants only. An illustration of a private Blockchain is Hyperledger Fabric, which is widely used in enterprise settings. It allows organizations to collaborate securely by sharing a private Blockchain network and maintaining control over who can join and participate in the network [20; 21]. Consortium or permissioned Blockchains are governed by a consortium of organizations that have agreed upon a set of rules and access permissions [22]. These Blockchains integrate aspects from both public and private Blockchains. They offer a more collaborative approach where a predefined group of participants, typically from the same industry or consortium, work together to maintain the Blockchain network. An example of a consortium Blockchain is R3 Corda [23], which is used by multiple financial institutions to streamline processes such as trade finance and asset exchange [21; 24]. The applications of Blockchain technology are extensive and continue to expand [7]. In the finance industry, Blockchain can facilitate secure and transparent transactions, eliminating the need for intermediaries and reducing costs. Supply chain management can benefit from Blockchain's ability to provide an immutable record of every transaction and ensure the authenticity of goods. In healthcare, Blockchain can enhance data interoperability, secure medical records, and enable better patient care coordination [12]. In the e-learning context, Blockchain technology ensures that all transactions and interactions are securely recorded on an immutable ledger. This transparency not only fosters a sense of accountability but also cultivates trust among learners, educators, and educational institutions.