Sneak Peek
Learn The Fundamentals Of The Rapidly Developing Area Of Blockchain Technology.
There is a huge amount of interest in and information on Blockchain available but the concepts and terminology can be off putting to those new to it. This self-paced course introduces the fundamental aspects and terms of Blockchain in a clear and accessible way. Each lesson builds your knowledge base further so that by the end of the course you will have a much clearer understanding of how Blockchain operates.
This course is ideal for those wanting to know more about the subject for personal interest of those who will be working with blockchain and want to have a strong foundation to build from.
THE CONTENTS OF THE COURSE
LESSON 1 INTRODUCTION TO BLOCKCHAIN
Emergence Of Blockchain
Conceptualising The Blockchain: A Method Of Information Transfer
Why Use The Blockchain?
Preventing Malicious Access
Review What You Have Been Learning
LESSON 2 BACKGROUND TO BLOCKCHAIN
Cryptography
1) Symmetric (Secret Key) Cryptography
2) Asymmetric (Public Key)
3) Hash
Using Cryptography In Blockchain
What Is Blockchain?
Review What You Have Been Learning
LESSON 3 HOW BLOCKCHAIN WORKS
Anatomy Of The Blockchain
Satoshi Nakamoto & The Double Spend Problem
The Role Of Bitcoin In The Blockchain
Governance
51% Attacks
Centralised Vs. Decentralised
Centralised Vs Decentralised Databases In Use
Distributed Ledgers
The Consensus Protocol
Proof Of Work
Proof Of Stake
Proof Of Burn
Proof Of Capacity
Proof Of Activity
Proof Of Elapsed Time
Forking
Centralised & Decentralised Systems: A Health Care Example
Blockchain Nodes
Review What You Have Been Learning
LESSON 4 TYPES OF BLOCKCHAIN
Permissionless And Permissioned Blockchains
Public
Example Of Permissionless Blockchain Use
Private
Example Of Permissioned Blockchain Use
Hybrid
Consortium (Federated)
What Problems Does Blockchain Technology Solve?
Services For Unbanked People
Problems With Blockchain And Financial Inclusion
Review What You Have Been Learning
LESSON 5 PRIVACY & SECURITY
The Blockchain And Privacy
Spending Patterns
Transactional Transparency
Advertising & Monetisation Of Data
Ai & Machine Learning Modelling
Security Issues
Review What You Have Been Learning
LESSON 6 WHAT ARE THE APPLICATIONS?
Intellectual Property Rights
Commodity Trading
Data Management
Identity Management/Authentication
Reputation Verification/Ranking
Electronic Voting
Employment Services/Job Market
Social Networking
Ride Sharing
Web 3.0
Cryptocurrencies
Money Transfer
Non-Fungible Token’s
Internet Of Things
Media
Advertising
Healthcare
Security
Real Estate
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LESSON 7 BLOCKCHAIN TERMINOLOGY
Real Estate
Review over 80 different terms specific to blockchain
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LESSON 8 BLOCKCHAIN PLATFORMS
What They Are
What To Look For
Platforms
Chainalysis KYT
IBM Blockchain
Ripple
Ethereum
Hyperledger Fabric
Tron
Review What You Have Been Learning
Final Assessment
Why Use the Blockchain?
Knowing that the blockchain is difficult to use and resource intensive, why would someone choose to use it to transfer information when there are other, simpler ways available? Is it popular simply by virtue of its seeming newness? There are three core benefits in using the blockchain:
- privacy
- tracking
- immutability.
The blockchain can be leveraged into a variety of different use cases across industries — and the reasons for that always come down to one or more of these benefits in conjunction with the decentralised nature of the technology.
Privacy
The blockchain uses a cryptographic function to encode each block. Using a cryptographic function adds a layer of privacy.
The single-use feature of each block, however, means that there is a new cryptographic function for each block, which helps create additional layers of security.
Tracking
When each block in the blockchain is created, it timestamped and fingerprinted; it carries a digital signature that is generated as part of the process. This means the information can be tracked throughout its journey, each block can be tracked and confirmed. The data, although encrypted, is known to exist.
There is another layer to this, the cost of verification. This refers to the cost of verifying that something has happened e.g., a transaction, like a house sale, has actually occurred. Blockchain uses decentralised technology, depending on users to verify each block. When each user agrees, a consensus is reached; it is only once this consensus has been reached that the block is added to the blockchain. This type of tracking is arguably less costly than traditional methods used in many sectors, but it is also much more transparent and trackable than traditional methods; blockchains are available for public viewing. It is only the data contained within the blocks that is inaccessible.
Immutability
Immutability is the quality of permanence, of unchanging material. When a block is released on the blockchain, it is immutable, locked, unchangeable. This means that the block is tamper-proof, and that the information can be considered secure. This is important when transferring information, and increased security is one of the reasons many industries have begun to explore the possibilities in this technology. To use the mailbox example again, a tamper-proof mailbox means that once the data packet has been delivered to the slot, there is no way for anyone to try and take the letter back, change the address or the recipient, or stuff the envelope with advertising and catalogues.
ENROL AND BEGIN LEARNING MORE