Blockchain: Understanding Its Uses and Implications

edX Blockchain: Understanding Its Uses and Implications

Platform
edX
Provider
Linux Foundation
Effort
3-4 hours a week
Length
14 weeks
Language
English
Credentials
Paid Certificate Available
Part of
Course Link
Overview
Blockchain technology is changing how business is executed. It’s important to understand why blockchain is different and how it works in comparison with technologies of the past.

The first segment of this course covers all the main concepts of what Blockchain is. It discusses how it began as a triple ledger system first introduced for the administration of the cryptocurrency Bitcoin, and how it is now applied to all aspects of business including government, banking, supply chains, and a host of other industries.

It also analyzes the concept of transparent ledgers, both public and permissioned, and focuses on using cryptography to achieve consensus, immutability, and governance of transactions. This is all part of Blockchain’s ability to provide “trusted data from untrusted sources,” disrupting traditional accounting methodologies and international trade.

The course then dives into the various methods of blockchain governance that currently exist in the marketplace as well as how consensus fits into governance. It explores how to reach consensus through proof-of-work or proof-of-stake.

Other aspects of the course include examining the very specific features of blockchain that solve problems that have been difficult to overcome in the past with more centralized architectures.

The final part of the course takes a deep dive into the various use cases of blockchain, complete with analyzing real examples of how different industries are executing the technology and improving their business. Examining a problem, and then depicting a blockchain use case that solves the problem, will help gain an understanding of how blockchain is applied to real-world situations.

What you'll learn
  • What a blockchain is
  • Blockchain impact and potential for change around the world
  • Understand how blockchain is applied to all aspects of business
  • Demonstrate some of the immediate blockchain use cases in technology, business, and enterprise products and institutions
Syllabus
Welcome & Introduction

Chapter 1. Introduction to Blockchain

  • This section covers some of the technical aspects that comprise a blockchain and explain why blockchain is different and “works” in comparison with technologies of the past.
Chapter 2. Governance and Consensus
  • This section covers the various methods of blockchain governance that currently exist in the marketplace as well as how consensus fits into governance. It also covers various levels of governance and how it works with both public and permissioned blockchains.
Chapter 3. Blockchain Problem Solving
  • This section takes a look at the very specific features of blockchain that solve problems that have been difficult to solve in the past with more centralized architectures.
Chapter 4. Blockchain Use Cases
  • This section covers various use cases of blockchain. It examines the problem, and then depicts a blockchain use case that solves the problem.
Final Exam

Taught by
Ernesto Lee, Kris Bennett and Rosa Santos
Author
edX
Views
769
First release
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