Blockchain Mining
Abstract blockchain image (Yuichiro Chino, Getty Images)
Abstract blockchain image (Yuichiro Chino, Getty Images)
How does this align with my curriculum?
Students will learn about the foundation of blockchain technology, its benefits and how to apply their knowledge through an interactive, hands-on activity.
Overview
| Activities | Timing | Student grouping | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minds-On: Key Concepts of blockchain | 25-30 minutes | Individual and Large group | Students will be introduced to concepts related to blockchain technology. |
| Action: Blockchain Mining Game | 25-30 minutes | Small group | Students will explore the fundamental process of blockchain mining. |
| Consolidation: Impacts of Blockchain | 10-15 minutes | Independent | Students will discuss what they learned about blockchain and how it is impacting society and business. |
Students will:
- Understand the processes involved in blockchain technology
- Understand why blockchain technology is used in cybersecurity in various industries
Learning Goals
Students will:
- Understand the processes involved in blockchain technology
- Understand why blockchain technology is used in cybersecurity in various industries
Students can:
- Use principles of blockchain mining in a class simulation
- Discuss uses of blockchain in society and industry
- Identify some ways that organizations can benefit from blockchain technology
Success Criteria
Students can:
- Use principles of blockchain mining in a class simulation
- Discuss uses of blockchain in society and industry
- Identify some ways that organizations can benefit from blockchain technology
This icon indicates potential assessment opportunities.
Observations
- Observe and listen to classroom discussions about blockchain. Make note of questions to use as prompts for further discussion.
Conversations
- Record questions that arise from the group discussions in the simulation, and use them during the consolidation discussion.
Products
- Students could submit their completed Miner Worksheets and Mining Game ledger
Evidence of Student Learning
This icon indicates potential assessment opportunities.
Observations
- Observe and listen to classroom discussions about blockchain. Make note of questions to use as prompts for further discussion.
Conversations
- Record questions that arise from the group discussions in the simulation, and use them during the consolidation discussion.
Products
- Students could submit their completed Miner Worksheets and Mining Game ledger
Students will:
- Understand the processes involved in blockchain technology
- Understand why blockchain technology is used in cybersecurity in various industries
Learning Goals
Students will:
- Understand the processes involved in blockchain technology
- Understand why blockchain technology is used in cybersecurity in various industries
Students can:
- Use principles of blockchain mining in a class simulation
- Discuss uses of blockchain in society and industry
- Identify some ways that organizations can benefit from blockchain technology
Success Criteria
Students can:
- Use principles of blockchain mining in a class simulation
- Discuss uses of blockchain in society and industry
- Identify some ways that organizations can benefit from blockchain technology
This icon indicates potential assessment opportunities.
Observations
- Observe and listen to classroom discussions about blockchain. Make note of questions to use as prompts for further discussion.
Conversations
- Record questions that arise from the group discussions in the simulation, and use them during the consolidation discussion.
Products
- Students could submit their completed Miner Worksheets and Mining Game ledger
Evidence of Student Learning
This icon indicates potential assessment opportunities.
Observations
- Observe and listen to classroom discussions about blockchain. Make note of questions to use as prompts for further discussion.
Conversations
- Record questions that arise from the group discussions in the simulation, and use them during the consolidation discussion.
Products
- Students could submit their completed Miner Worksheets and Mining Game ledger
Materials and Preparation
Teaching and Learning Activities
This icon indicates potential assessment opportunities.
Minds-On: Key Concepts of blockchain [25-30 min.]
| Instructions | Teaching Tips |
|---|---|
| Have the students prepare for the main activity by reading the What is Blockchain and Why Does it Matter? Backgrounder and filling out a Key Concept Explorations graphic organizer. |
IdeaYou may wish to prepare the organizers in advance, or have students create for themselves. |
|
Lead a short class discussion to debrief the content covered in the backgrounder and answer any outstanding questions students may have. |
DiscussionsDiscussion prompts can include:
|
Action: Blockchain Mining Game [25-30 min.]
| Instructions | Teaching Tips |
|---|---|
|
Explain to students that in this simulation, they will be “blockchain miners”. Their goal is to identify the nonce and calculate the hash for each block in the blockchain. In this activity, students are simulating a blockchain network by validating and adding transactions to a blockchain. This process allows the students to experience the concept of consensus and how transactions are verified to form a chain, creating a decentralized and transparent ledger. This simulation was adapted from The Blockchain Game by JScottMO [CC BY-NC-SA). |
LanguageYou may want to review the following terms:
|
|
Provide each student with a copy of the Blockchain Mining Game - Miner Worksheet reproducible [Google doc] [Word doc] [PDF] 
Also, assign 1-2 students to fill in the Blockchain Mining Game - Ledger reproducible [Google doc] [Word Doc] [PDF]. 
|
IdeaStudents tracking the ledger could do this as well as, or instead of, doing the mining calculations. |
|
Begin the Blockchain Mining Game presentation [Google Slides] [pptx] [PDF] and follow the prompts in the speaker notes.
Students could submit their completed worksheets and ledgers at the end of the game. |
Consolidation: Classroom Discussion [10-15 min.]
| Instructions | Teaching Tips |
|---|---|
|
Lead a short class discussion about the benefits and applications of blockchain. In particular, encourage students to focus on the impact blockchain technology can have on society and different industries. If you wish, you could have students do research before answering the discussion questions. |
DiscussionsDiscussion prompts can include:
|
Background Information for Teachers
Blockchain Technology
Blockchain is one of the emerging technologies that is disrupting industries including finance, healthcare, supply chain management, and more. As a result, there is a growing demand for blockchain experts, developers, and professionals in this industry. With the growing adoption of blockchain technology, many companies are actively looking for people who have a deep understanding of how blockchain works, leading to more job opportunities for the youth of today.
Image - Text Version
Shown is a colour photograph of a warehouse with a smartphone surrounded by icons in the foreground. Tall shelves stacked with boxes to the ceiling fill both sides of the photograph, with cement floor in between. A hand reaches in from the bottom left corner, holding the smartphone. This is overlaid with an illustration of a world map, surrounded by a number of small icons in individual white circles. These include a dollar sign, a location symbol, a shopping cart, a globe, a wifi symbol, a bar graph, an illustration of a person, a document, a file, and a tablet. There is also an airplane, a transport truck, gears, a conversation bubble, a cloud, and a search icon.
Blockchain technology is known for the security features it provides. One example is using cryptography to secure transactions, making it virtually impossible to hack or manipulate a blockchain network. It also allows for the creation of decentralized systems where there is no central authority.
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As more industries adopt blockchain technology, there is an increasing need for individuals to become innovative and utilize this technology to solve real-world problems. As students learn about how blockchain works, they can gain a competitive advantage in their future careers, create secure systems, and create solutions.
Image - Text Version
Shown is a colour photograph of a group of adults talking in a meeting room. Six people are gathered around a seventh person, who is standing next to a large paper pad on an easel, pointing to information on it and speaking to the group. They are in a room with glass walls, padded seats and small tables with several laptop computers.