This course is the definitive introduction to blockchain for both the developer and non-developer audience. Beyond the technology, this course will introduce you to some of the philosophy behind decentralization and why there is so much excitement around it. Join ConsenSys Academy and course instructor Nick Nelson in this rich-media introduction to the foundations of blockchain.
During the first three modules, you'll be introduced to blockchain and the technology behind it. In module four, we'll go beyond bitcoin and delve deeper into a next-generation blockchain called Ethereum to introduce you to what modern blockchains can do. The use cases featured in the final module are drawn from among the businesses in ConsenSys portfolio. We believe we're uniquely positioned to present you with a valuable behind-the-scenes look at the people and companies working in this space to help give you a better understanding of the business side of blockchain.
Together, we'll examine businesses use cases, hear from industry leaders, and give you the opportunity to develop and analyze a use case yourself. With this course, not only will you be the one who is able to explain blockchain to your colleagues, you'll be well on your way to making educated business decisions with your new, foundational understanding of the technology.
In this module we will cover the following topics: 1. Why are People Excited About Blockchain? 2.The Brief, Brief History of Blockchain 3.The Move to Decentralization 4. Ledgers, Distributed Ledgers, and Consensus 5. What is Blockchain? The reading materials will help you to expand your knowledge of the materials presented in this module. There is an assessment at the end of this module. You need to achieve 80% or higher to pass and receive the Course Certificate.
What's included
9 videos5 readings1 assignment
Show info about module content
9 videos•Total 20 minutes
Welcome•1 minute
Introduction•2 minutes
Consensys Introduction•1 minute
Lesson 2: The Brief, Brief History of Blockchain•2 minutes
Lesson 3: What is Decentralization?•2 minutes
Decentralization•3 minutes
Lesson 4: Ledgers, Distributed Ledgers, and Consensus•3 minutes
Lesson 5: The Paper Blockchain•2 minutes
Why Blockchain?•3 minutes
5 readings•Total 55 minutes
The Brief, Brief History of Blockchain•20 minutes
Supplemental Reading: The Brief, Brief History of Blockchain•10 minutes
The Move to Decentralization•7 minutes
Supplemental Reading: The Move to Decentralization•8 minutes
Supplemental Reading: What is a Blockchain?•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Module 1 Quiz•30 minutes
Module 2: The Technical Side
Module 2•2 hours to complete
Module details
In this module we will cover the following topics: Cryptography, Hash Functions, Public Key Cryptography and Signing, Blocks and Blockchain, the Chain, Nodes and Network. The reading materials will help you to expand your knowledge of the materials presented in this module. There is an assessment at the end of this module. You need to achieve 80% or higher to pass and receive the Course Certificate.
What's included
7 videos4 readings1 assignment
Show info about module content
7 videos•Total 25 minutes
Introduction•1 minute
Lesson 1: Public Key Cryptography•4 minutes
Lesson 2: Cryptographic Hash Functions•7 minutes
Digital Signing•3 minutes
Lesson 4: Anatomy of a Block•6 minutes
Lesson 5: The Chain of Blocks•2 minutes
Lesson 6: Nodes and Networks•3 minutes
4 readings•Total 50 minutes
Why Do I Need a Public and Private Key on the Blockchain?•10 minutes
Welcome to the Blockchain in Use module. In this module we will cover the following topics: Introduction, Trust Framework and Consensus Mechanisms, Public, Consortium, Private Blockchains, Blockchain Interoperability, When to Use a Blockchain (Limitations and Misconceptions), Implications of Blockchain on Traditional Business. The reading materials will help you to expand your knowledge of the materials presented in this module. There is an assessment at the end of this module. You need to achieve 80% or higher to pass and receive the Course Certificate.
What's included
6 videos5 readings1 assignment
Show info about module content
6 videos•Total 27 minutes
Introduction•1 minute
Lesson 1: Consensus Mechanisms and Trust Frameworks•5 minutes
Supplemental Reading: When to Use a Blockchain•10 minutes
Supplemental Reading: Implication of Blockchain on Traditional Business•15 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Module 3 Quiz•30 minutes
Module 4: Further Topics
Module 4•2 hours to complete
Module details
In this module we will cover the following topics: Introduction, Bitcoin and Ethereum, Ethereum, Smart Contracts, Cryptocurrency Tokens, Wallets and the Marketplaces, and Implications on Traditional Businesses. The reading materials will help you to expand your knowledge of the materials presented in this module. There is an assessment at the end of this module. You need to achieve 80% or higher to pass and receive the Course Certificate.
Supplemental Reading: Bitcoin and Ethereum•10 minutes
Smart Contracts•12 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Module 4 Quiz•30 minutes
Module 5: Use Cases
Module 5•3 hours to complete
Module details
In this module we will review the following use cases: Self-Sovereign Identity and Reputation, Ownership and Governance, Supply Chain and Asset Tracking, and Royalties in the Music Industry.
What's included
6 videos4 readings1 peer review
Show info about module content
6 videos•Total 44 minutes
Introduction•0 minutes
Lesson 1: Self-Sovereign Identity and Reputation•8 minutes
Lesson 2: Ownership and Governance•12 minutes
Lesson 3: Supply Chain and Asset Tracking•15 minutes
Lesson 4: Royalties in the Music Industry•8 minutes
Wrap-Up•1 minute
4 readings•Total 40 minutes
Uport: Self-sovereign Identity and Reputation•10 minutes
Meridio: Ownership and Governance•10 minutes
Viant: Supply Chain and Asset Tracking•10 minutes
Ujo: Royalties in the Music Industry•10 minutes
1 peer review•Total 120 minutes
Create a Blockchain Use Case•120 minutes
Instructor
Instructor ratings
Instructor ratings
We asked all learners to give feedback on our instructors based on the quality of their teaching style.
ConsenSys is a global leader in the blockchain space: a startup incubator, decentralized in nature, and employing some of the brightest minds in the industry. We’re ConsenSys Academy—the educational arm of ConsenSys—and given our unprecedented access to the luminaries and developers who are building the future of blockchain, we’re in the unique position to offer students leading-edge educational content; content that keeps pace with this new field’s rapid evolution. We are the educational core of the next-generation blockchain platform, Ethereum. Our mission is to be the global leader in blockchain education for individuals, institutions, and communities.
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Learner reviews
4.7
846 reviews
5 stars
76.35%
4 stars
19.14%
3 stars
2.60%
2 stars
1.06%
1 star
0.82%
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T
TC
5·
Reviewed on Jul 31, 2019
I would recommend this course to anyone who needs a new business development understanding of the applicability of blockchain in various industry scenarios
B
BB
4·
Reviewed on Nov 4, 2018
I liked the course however it was quite a "SHILL" fest towards Ethereum. Very little mention of any other blockchain and the final module was just what I thought to be a big sales of some tokens.
Z
ZS
5·
Reviewed on Oct 16, 2018
Best examples and use cases are available in the course to understanding the technology.very helpful for basic understanding and learning the Blockchain Technology..
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Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.