Introduction
By next May, you need to THOROUGHLY UNDERSTAND the BlockChain technology that is OUTLINED in the Case Study. The Case Study is not an explanation or a text-book, but rather a description of a problem to be STUDIED and INVESTIGATED. After doing some RESEARCH and READING, your level of understanding should become considerably deeper.
Structure of the paper
30 marks, 60 minutes, worth 20% of your final CS grade.
3 x Short answer questions worth ~6 marks ~12 minutes each
Command terms: Define (2m), Outline (2m), Explain (4m), Describe (4m)
1 x Extended answer question worth 12 marks 24 minutes.
Command terms: Compare, evaluate, discuss, to what extent
Through their investigation of the case study, students should be able to:
demonstrate an understanding of the computer science concepts fundamental to the system(s) in the case study (objective 1)
demonstrate an understanding of how the system(s) in the case study work (objective 1)
apply material from the course syllabus in the context of the case study (objective 2)
explain how scenarios specified in the case study may be related to other similar local and global scenarios (objective 3)
discuss the social impacts and ethical issues relevant to the case study (objective 3)
explain technical issues relating to the case study (objective 3)
evaluate information that may be gathered from local and global sources including field trips, interviews, primary and secondary research, invited guest speakers and online interviews (objective 3)
evaluate, formulate or justify strategic solutions based on the synthesis of information from the case study itself, additional research and new stimulus material provided in the examination paper (objective 3).
Case study booklet
Download the case study booklet required for HL paper 3: Case study booklet 2021: A local economy driven by blockchain
Resources
Here is some suggested reading to get you started:
Brief Intro Video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSo_EIwHSd4
Create a simple blockchain in javascript: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVqczFZr124
Technical Blockchain Basics: https://blockgeeks.com/guides/what-is-blockchain-technology/
Blockchain basics - The hash, mining & Merkle trees - YouTube
Blockchain architecture basics - MLSDev
Ted Talk Video about How Blockchain is USED : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KP_hGPQVLpA
How the blockchain is changing money & business - Don Tapscott - TedTalks (ethical issues): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pl8OlkkwRpc
Founder of Etherium : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSN5BaCzsbo
Unpatched Etherium Clients : https://www.zdnet.com/article/a-large-chunk-of-ethereum-clients-remain-unpatched/
You can also search for your own explanations/videos/articles etc.
If you find a GOOD source, you should share it with the rest of the class.
Terminology