📖 Learning Modules

Learn the essentials of blockchain here! Could you be the next Vitalik?

5.1 Blockchain Builder

Purpose: Understand how blocks are created, linked, and validated.

Features

Transaction Creation

• Add Transaction button: Opens a form to create transactions

• Fields:

  • From: Sender's address

  • To: Receiver's address

  • Amount: Number of tokens

• Transactions enter the pending pool until mined

Mining Simulation

• Difficulty slider: Adjust from 1 to 5

  • 1 = Very easy (fast mining)

  • 5 = Very hard (slow mining, high security)

• Mine Block button: Starts the mining process

• Mining visualization: Watch nonce attempts in real-time

• Success/Failure: See if the hash meets difficulty requirements

Blockchain Visualization

• View all blocks in a vertical timeline

• Each block shows:

  • Index number

  • Timestamp

  • List of transactions included

  • Previous hash (links to parent block)

  • Nonce (the winning number)

  • Block hash (unique identifier)

Validation

• Validate Chain button: Checks blockchain integrity

• Verification process:

  • Confirms each block's hash is correct

  • Ensures previous hashes match

  • Detects any tampering

• Results: Green checkmark or red error icon

Reset Function

• Reset button: Clears blockchain back to genesis block

• Use to start experiments fresh

Learning Objectives

• Understand how transactions batch into blocks

• See how mining difficulty affects time and security

• Grasp the concept of chain validation

• Recognize why tampering is detectable

5.2 Cryptography Workshop

Purpose: Explore the cryptographic foundations of blockchain.

Tab 1: Hash Functions

What are hash functions? Cryptographic hash functions take any input and produce a fixed-size, unique output called a hash. Even tiny changes in input drastically change the output.

Interactive Hash Lab:

• Input field: Type any text

• Real-time hashing: See hashes update instantly

• Multiple algorithms:

  • SHA-256: Most common in blockchain (256 bits)

  • SHA-512: Longer, more secure variant

  • MD5: Older, educational purposes only (not secure)

  • RIPEMD-160: Used in Bitcoin addresses

Copy buttons: Copy any hash to clipboard

Experiments to try:

1. Hash "Hello" then "hello" - see how case matters

2. Hash a long paragraph - hash stays the same length

3. Change one character - entire hash changes (avalanche effect)

Why this matters: Hashes are used to:

• Create block identifiers

• Link blocks together

• Detect any data tampering

• Generate wallet addresses

Tab 2: Keys & Signatures

What are cryptographic keys? Public-key cryptography uses pairs of keys: a public key (shareable) and a private key (secret). This enables secure transactions without revealing secrets.

Interactive Key Lab:

• Generate Key Pair button: Creates a new random key pair

• View Public Key: Safe to share, like an email address

• View Private Key: Must keep secret, like a password

• Security note: Private keys are shown for education; real blockchains never expose them

Signing Messages:

• Enter a message

• Click Sign Message with your private key

• Result: A unique digital signature

• Verification: Anyone can verify the signature with your public key

Why this matters: Keys enable:

• Wallet ownership proof

• Transaction authorization

• Identity verification without revealing secrets

Tab 3: Merkle Trees

What is a Merkle tree? A data structure that efficiently verifies if data belongs to a large set. Bitcoin and Ethereum use Merkle trees to organize transactions in blocks.

Interactive Visualizer:

• Add Data button: Add transactions or data items

• Tree visualization: Shows how data combines

• Hash levels:

  • Bottom: Individual transaction hashes

  • Middle: Paired hashes combined

  • Top: Merkle root (single hash representing all data)

Verification Demo:

• Select any transaction

• See the proof path (hashes needed to verify)

• Understand why this is more efficient than checking every transaction

Why this matters: Merkle trees enable:

• Efficient verification (log n operations)

• Light clients (mobile wallets) without full blockchain

• Proof of inclusion/exclusion

5.3 Consensus Simulator

Purpose: Understand how blockchain networks reach agreement.

Consensus Mechanisms

Proof of Work (PoW)

• How it works: Miners compete to solve cryptographic puzzles

• Simulator controls:

  • Number of miners (1-10)

  • Mining difficulty (1-5)

  • Start/stop simulation

• Visualization: Watch miners attempt to find valid hashes

• Winner: First to find valid hash mines the block

• Metrics: See attempts, time, and energy used

Proof of Stake (PoS) - Informational

• How it works: Validators chosen based on token holdings

• Advantages: Energy efficient, environmentally friendly

• Comparison: Contrast with PoW on energy usage

Byzantine Fault Tolerance (BFT) - Informational

• How it works: Validators vote on blocks

• Use cases: Permissioned blockchains, enterprise solutions

• Requirements: 2/3 majority needed

Interactive Elements

Network Configuration:

• Adjust number of nodes

• Set honest vs. malicious nodes

• Change network delay

Run Simulation:

• Watch nodes communicate

• See consensus reached

• Observe failure scenarios (if malicious nodes present)

Metrics Display:

• Time to consensus

• Messages exchanged

• Energy consumed (PoW vs. PoS comparison)

Learning Objectives

• Understand why consensus is needed in distributed systems

• Compare different consensus mechanisms

• See how networks handle dishonest participants

• Recognize trade-offs: security vs. speed vs. energy

5.4 Smart Contract Playground

Purpose: Learn how smart contracts execute on the blockchain.

Code Editor

Features:

• Syntax highlighting for Solidity-like language

• Line numbers

• Auto-indentation

• Error highlighting

Sample Contracts:

• Simple Storage: Store and retrieve a number

• Token Contract: Create a basic token with transfers

• Voting Contract: Implement a simple voting system

• Escrow Contract: Hold funds until conditions met

Compiler

• Compile button: Checks syntax and simulates deployment

• Error messages: Clear explanation of any issues

• Bytecode view: See compiled contract code

• Gas estimation: How much the contract would cost to deploy

Contract Interaction

After deploying a contract:

• Available functions: Buttons for each public function

• Input fields: Enter parameters

• Execute: Run the function

• Results: View return values and state changes

• Events: See emitted events from contract

Learning Objectives

• Write basic smart contract logic

• Understand contract state and functions

• See how contracts interact with blockchain

• Learn about gas costs and optimization

5.5 Token Economics

Purpose: Understand the economic principles behind blockchain tokens.

Token Supply Management

Visualization:

• Total supply: All tokens ever created

• Circulating supply: Tokens available to public

• Burned tokens: Permanently removed from circulation

• Locked tokens: Temporarily unavailable

Interactive Controls:

• Mint new tokens: Add to supply

• Burn tokens: Remove permanently

• Lock tokens: Time-lock release

• Chart: See supply changes over time

Token Distribution

Pie chart showing:

• Mining rewards: % given to miners

• Treasury: % held for development

• Community: % distributed to users

• Team: % allocated to creators

Sliders: Adjust distribution percentages

Economic Simulations

Inflation/Deflation:

• Set emission rate

• Configure burn rate

• Simulation: Run over time to see effects

• Graph: Price and supply curves

Staking Rewards:

• Set APY (annual percentage yield)

• Configure lock-up periods

• Calculate returns

Transaction Economics

Gas Fee Model:

• Base fee: Minimum per transaction

• Priority fee: Extra to speed up

• Simulation: See how fees affect network congestion

Fee Distribution:

• % burned

• % to miners

• % to treasury

Learning Objectives

• Understand token supply dynamics

• Learn about inflation and deflation

• See how fees affect network behavior

• Design balanced token economics