DIGITAL CERTIFICATES EXPLAINED
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Digital Certificate on successful completion
QR code access to supporting transcript
Personalised transcript of learning outcomes
Transcript stored on IPFS for authenticity
FAQs: DIGITAL CERTIFICATES
The credential is evidence that learning has been completed successfully. It can be used as evidence of professional development or as proof of learning needed to access another course. Every provider has their own format for a Certificate of Completion. This format has been designed specifically for www.marilynharvey.com.
A certificate of completion will be issued as proof of learning once the learning outcomes have been met (assessed)' [National Microcredentials Framework].
The QR code on the person’s digital certificate contains a link to their personalised transcript on the IPFS. This link shows when a camera hovers over the QR code, so clicking on that link takes the viewer directly to the individualised transcript.
The InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) is a protocol for storing and sharing data in a distributed file system. No one company owns IPFS, in the way that Google owns Google Drive. It is essentially a global peer-to-peer network. When a file is added to IPFS, it is cryptographically hashed and given a unique fingerprint called a content identifier (CID). This CID acts as a permanent record of the file as it exists at that point in time.
Authenticity
The file is resistant to tampering because if anyone alters any of the information in a file, then it gets a new hash and a new CID, which makes it a different file.
Permanent
The file is stored permanently on IPFS and is only accessible via the QR code. As long as the participant has their digital certificate, then they can get to their transcript at any time in the future.
Like to know more: IPFS website
You are welcome to download the image, or copy/paste it to a Word document if you need to send it to someone for your professional development record. They can click on the QR code in the Word document if they wish to see the supporting transcript.
It is your responsibility to keep a copy of the digital certificate in your electronic filing system as the transcript is not stored anywhere else and is only accessible via the QR code on the digital certificate. Essentially, you have control of the documentation once it is issued, not the provider.