Before we begin to understand why digital currencies should be introduced as a mandatory course in educational institutes, it's better you first get familiar with digital currency. Digital Currency is both a currency and a payment system. It is an intersection of both money and technology, allowing people to make payments in a decentralized way without the involvement of banks.

Digital Currency is an electronic and digital form of currency that can only be accessed through smart devices. The most prominent digital Currency in the financial market is a cryptocurrency that people are using to exchange services and goods.

 

Currently, 106 million people are using cryptocurrency as a medium of exchange. The digital coins are issued and recorded using cryptographic equations and a digital ledger called Blockchain. 

 

In the world of banking and finance, Blockchain is being integrated into financial systems and institutes. As digital currency used in the market is flourishing, governments and banks are getting interested in rolling out digital Currency and replacing fiat currency.

 

People are opting for online courses to learn and know about the value of Currency. And since it is expected that its use will continue to grow, getting an accredited degree and studying digital currencies will benefit students. 

Why are Students Exploring Digital Currency as learners and Investors? 

An increasing number of generation X and baby boomers are getting interested in using and investing in bitcoins and other digital currencies. Students see cryptocurrency as an opportunity for investment and attaining financial gains early in their lives.

 

Although you don't need to have a college education and degree to become a bitcoin investor, to keep up with the times, adding this technological expertise to your resume will allow students to get more and more opportunities in the industry. 

Kyle Winstanley, a former engineering student at the University of Michigan, turned his apartment into a crypto trading center as digital Currency spiked his interest. In the same manner, there is an increasing wave of interest seen in cryptocurrency among colleges and universities.

 

Students are forming groups, clubs, and investing hubs to quickly responding to increasing trends. On a global level, cryptocurrency has captured the minds of college students, and there are more than one million students who are opting for online courses. Students see cryptocurrency as the future of money that older generations might not understand.  

 

Should Digital Currencies Be Introduced In Educational Institutes? 

Does digital Currency really impact the students? The answer to this is "Yes." Young generations have a strong suspicion of the existing digital currency industry and see a future where digital Currency will be in full swing. It is increasingly important for the students to make the most of the evolving technologies by learning and earning through them.  

 

Digital Currency and Blockchain are still in the initial stages, and still, there is an ample amount of uncertainty about the future of digital currency and what it holds. Even though you can find plenty of online courses being offered on courser or edx, this subject is still gaining traction in academia.  

Schmidt, the director of learning and education at MIT, said, "Despite the rise in the decentralized, informal online learning opportunities, there is still no digital way to track and manage these accomplishments".

 

He suggested that academic institutions must introduce digital currency courses in the credentialing environment, which will help in validating what knowledge and skills students have learned. 

 

High school and college teachers believe that it should be taught as a mandatory course as an increasing number of students as showing interest in knowing about digital coins and Currency. 

 

Melissa, a researcher, says that cryptocurrency is gaining popularity and with the passage of time more and more individuals are adding this as a skill in the profile." Thus, students with greater knowledge and deeper understanding will have a stronger base in the industry. 

 

How Are Digital Currency Courses Integrated Into Educational Institutes? 

You can get numerous chances to learn and explore crypto outside classrooms. There are many online courses, videos, trading platforms, digital magazines critically dedicated to digital Currency.

 

But the importance of learning it as a subject in academics remains intact. Presently, many college and university administrations are taking it seriously and making efforts to actively responding to the crypto craze through on-campus events and then achieve the mission of including this as a subject in many colleges and high schools. 

 

Moreover, as it is reaching down to high school students, institutions are also introducing discussion rooms and adding cryptocurrency classes in "Business and Personal Finance class" to help the young minds understand not just the cryptocurrency but the overall market of digital Currency and Blockchain that support it.    

 

Getting Universities Up To Speed in Technology Courses 

In the past, colleges and universities have been notoriously slow in adopting technology and integrating technological courses in their academic system. By the time course is designed, the technology becomes outdated. The study of digital Currency is important not only for finance and technology students, but other fields need to make it mandatory.   

It is highly expected that colleges and universities that don't offer Blockchain and cryptocurrency courses will be left behind. Duke University, an international leader in medical, business, and technological research introduced Blockchain Lab, a research center for bringing students together and make them learn and make the discovery in the Blockchain. 

 

One of the researchers at the research paper writing service shared research on MIT. This educational institute has geared up and included Blockchain through their "Media Lab's Digital Currency Initiative."

 

They are working to push learning and development in the field of digital currencies through research projects and study groups. Due to the further popularity of digital Currency among high school and college students, this subject is being offered in various universities and fields that will benefit the students in their professional careers. 

 

Is Cryptocurrency Beneficial For Students? 

University is referred to as one of the major periods of student life where individuals make important decisions that impact their careers. Nowadays, students understand the importance of technology and prefer to study those fields that have a long-term scope in the industry.  

 

Individuals that are being trained in digital Currency and Blockchain are being highly preferred by the industry professionals and immediately hired. This practice is expected to continue in the future as crypto and bitcoins are here to stay.

 

Both Cryptocurrency and Blockchain are careers that are advancing today. LinkedIn and many other platforms are showing openings for the positions of Blockchain and cryptocurrency by large companies like IBM. Additionally, you can find a plethora of start-ups and positions in this field. 

 

Though universities are still not offering degree programs in digital Currency, this is high time they think about integrating it as a credit course as these skills are high in demand. Studying digital Currency and taking online courses will further pave their way in the industry and open doors of opportunities once the student graduates. Courses like computer science, coding will immensely help you in your digital currency studies.  

 

What does the future hold? 

Digital Currency has received condemnation from some sectors due to its market volatility. The users of bitcoin remain anonymous, which is giving rise to illegal activities calling for strict regulations, but its computing platforms that have been introduced recently, like Ethereum, are receiving major interest from companies like Google and Microsoft. We are actually on the edge of seeing the crypto revolution. 

 

No one knows what the future holds, especially with regards to cryptocurrency, but students and the present generation need to get a grip and have a deeper understanding today that will benefit them tomorrow.  

 

Bottom Line 

Learning something new always seems a daunting task, especially something that has a lack of studies or resources. Digital Currency is not just essential for accounting and IT students, but it must be made mandatory in multidisciplinary fields for increasing its popularity among individuals. A complete field or a course in this exciting field equips the students with the essential skills that are in demand in the industry. 

Author Bio 

Elaine Vanessa is a self-driven individual who is currently working as an Online Lecturer and Counselor at Dissertation Assistance. She also actively handles a team of dissertation writers and always seeking to discover new ways to improve herself professionally. She has a major degree in English and loves to share her ideas on different platforms.