LMS Certificates vs. Credentials with Blockchain

In recent years, online learning has become a popular way to acquire new knowledge and skills. As online education has evolved, so have the ways of assessing and certifying learning. Two of the most common forms of certification are LMS certificates and blockchain-powered digital credentials. In this article, we will explore the differences between these two forms of certification as well as their advantages and disadvantages.

LMS certificates

LMS certificates are issued by online learning platforms (LMS) to recognize the completion of a course or learning process. These certificates are automatically generated by the respective LMS platform and can be downloaded by the users who obtain them. They are based on trust in the institution that provides the certificate. The process for issuing and verifying these certificates can vary between different LMSs, but typically involve validation that the student has successfully completed a specific course or study program. These certificates can be verified by third parties by checking the authenticity of the digital signature of the LMS that issued them. LMS certificates typically contain basic information such as the user name, course completion date, and course name.

Credentials with Blockchain

On the other hand, blockchain credentials are a type of certification that stores and verifies user information, they do not depend on a particular institution for validation, and they use something called JSON-LD (a standard for linked data) to describe the content. . These credentials are created through the global standard Verifiable Credentials 1.0 and Open Badge 3.0, while the verification mechanism is registered in a decentralized network preserving the privacy of the information in this type of credential, which implies that the information is stored in multiple network nodes. This makes blockchain credentials more secure and reliable than LMS certificates. In addition, these credentials can include feedback on the student's or collaborator's performance, so they are rich in metadata and contain valuable fields that allow a detailed understanding of the achievement obtained.

It might interest you: What relationship do digital credentials have with the blockchain?

Which is the best option?

According to the above, we can identify these important differences between an LMS certificate and a digital credential with blockchain:

• Blockchain credentials can include more detailed information than LMS certificates, such as specific skills acquired during the course and level of achievement.
• Blockchain credentials are more portable and interoperable than LMS certificates. Users can store their credentials in a digital wallet and easily share their certification information with future employers or educational institutions.
• Blockchain credentials can be used across different LMS platforms and educational systems, making them more useful in the long run.
• LMS certificates are easy to issue and download, however, blockchain credentials are more secure and reliable as they are validated by a decentralized network that preserves information privacy and can be independently verified.
• LMS certificates are issued by a trusted institution, while blockchain credentials do not depend on a particular institution for validation.

While the ideal alternative depends on the needs of the organization, LMS certificates are becoming obsolete and impractical. For its part, recognition with credentials in blockchain is here to stay and presents much more useful benefits adapted to the requirements of the market, which makes it the most appropriate option.