Open Access

Felix Schmidt, Nils Künster, Fabian DietrichORCiD, Louis Louw, Daniel PalmORCiD

• Blockchain is a decentralized technology that has revolutionized the peer-to-peer data exchange by combining cryptography, transparency and immutability. Blockchain technology (BCT), first introduced by Satoshi Nakamoto in 2008, has since evolved to securely handle and validate data transactions, including the integration and interaction of on-chain and off-chain data. However, the inherent complexity of BCT has led many individuals to find it increasingly difficult to understand and there is a gap of teaching concepts that effectively convey this technology. Misunderstandings and misinterpretations result from traditional teaching concepts, which frequently remain purely theoretical and lack actual, hands-on experience. Addressing that, this paper aims to outline the requirements for a new teaching concept that helps individuals better understand BCT’s fundamentals by applying them to a real-world challenge within supply chains. We propose using the problem of safely monitoring carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in supply chains to illustrate the potential of BCT and its advantages when integrating on-chain and off-chain data. As part of the teaching concept, we use a learning factory to simulate a supply chain, offering a suitable environment for putting the information learned into practice. The requirements for the concept suggest that individuals should first study the fundamentals of decentralized applications before deciding which data to integrate on-chain or off-chain for tracking the CO₂ emissions of an exemplary product in a learning factory environment.