Usage#

The Open edX platform allows students to earn credentials (e.g. course certificates, program certificates). Based on such credentials learners are able to create a digital cryptographically proved peace of data - a verifiable credential.

Note

Verifiable credentials are aimed for machines.

A single Open edX achievement can be used as a source for numerous verifiable credentials (identical or different data models).

Verifiable credential includes data about:

  • who has achieved it (subject)

    • student’s unique decentralized identifier (DID);

    • student’s arbitrary personal data (optional);

  • what exactly was achieved (credential)

    • type (program certificate);

    • title (program name, possibly courses list);

  • when it happened (timestamp)

    • date and time verifiable credential was created (issued);

    • expiration moment (optionally);

  • who proves it (issuer)

    • there is always at least one issuer - organization/university/etc. who “confirms” credential’s data is the Truth;

  • how to check if it is still valid (status)

    • there are different status check methods;

    • there are different reasons for status update (source achievement revocation, for example);

All that data is signed, so it can’t be tampered in any way - that’s the point.

Learners#

The general usage flow is the following:

  • Student finishes a course/program and earns an achievement/credential (e.g. Program Certificate X);

  • Student requests a verifiable credential that confirms Program Certificate X exists (additional background can be included as well - e.g. average/total grade, etc.);

  • The Open edX platform creates (issues) a verifiable credential on behalf of related Issuer (Organization/University/School);

  • Verifiable credential is uploaded to some Learner’s storage (verifiable credentials wallet, a mobile/web app);

  • Student presents a verifiable credential to any Interested Party (another Org/University/School);

  • Interested Party verifies a verifiable credential’s status - checks if it wasn’t tampered in any way; checks if it still has valid status (not expired, not revoked);

Note

Please, see the Learner Record micro-frontend for details.

Administrators#

The Open edX users with administrator rights are able to manage/monitor the Verifiable Credentials application within the Credentials IDA admin site.

Note

Please, see the Verifiable Credentials application for details.

Relying Parties#

Third-parties whom a verifiable credential is presented want to ensure the current status of such artifact. That’s where the Status List mechanism comes into play.