HOW WILL BLOCKCHAIN TRANSFORM THE ED-TECH INDUSTRY? INTEGRATION OF BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY IN LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS (LMSs) IN TURKEY

Abstract

We are witnessing cut-throat competition in the business world, and rapid changes in technology are transforming business models. Blockchain technology has been implemented in various industries, such as finance, real estate, and healthcare. Yet, Blockchain applications are still in the early stages in the education sector, and the number of educational institutions utilizing the full strength of Blockchain technology is limited. Learning Management Systems (LMSs) are the backbone of any education program. However, traditional learning management systems are not geared towards special-needs learners. They do not adapt well to the new academic landscape that has transformed with the immense adoption of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). As Blockchain offers a decentralized and distributed approach, integrating Blockchain technologies in the educational sector may generate numerous opportunities. In this study, the benefits of Blockchain applications will be discussed. Moreover, the impacts of using Blockchain technology in Learning Management Systems (LMSs) on user experiences and developer experiences will be presented with a survey and semi- structured in-depth interviews, which will be conducted in an ed-tech start-up in Turkey. Hence, this study will put forward the implications of the integration of Blockchain technology on LMSs, focusing on users’ experiences in learning processes and developers’ experiences in building the LMS application. Due to the research gap regarding the applications of Blockchain technology in LMSs, this study may produce valuable contributions by providing a thorough analysis of the benefits and challenges of integrating Blockchain technology in LMSs, for researchers as well as companies operating in the ed-tech industry.